Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Jan 17: Kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj has passed away. He died at his residence in Delhi in the early hours of Monday after suffering a heart attack. He was 83 when he breathed his last.
Pandit Birju Maharaj’s grandson Swaransh Mishra too shared the unfortunate news on his social media.
He was born Brij Mohan Nath Mishra on February 4, 1937, from a well-known family of Kathak dancers and is the winner of the country’s second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan. Apart from bring a renowned kathak dancer, he was a well-known classical singer and lent his voice to several films.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the family and fans of the Kathak legend. “Deeply saddened by the demise of Pandit Birju Maharaj ji, who gave Indian dance forms a special recognition across the world. His passing is an irreparable loss to the entire world of art. My condolences to his family and fans in this hour of grief,” tweeted Modi.
भारतीय नृत्य कला को विश्वभर में विशिष्ट पहचान दिलाने वाले पंडित बिरजू महाराज जी के निधन से अत्यंत दुख हुआ है। उनका जाना संपूर्ण कला जगत के लिए एक अपूरणीय क्षति है। शोक की इस घड़ी में मेरी संवेदनाएं उनके परिजनों और प्रशंसकों के साथ हैं। ओम शांति! pic.twitter.com/PtqDkoe8kd
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 17, 2022
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, “His passing is an irreparable loss to the art world.”