Pandit Birju Maharaj passes away: A pictorial tribute to the legendary Kathak maestro

Legendary Kathak dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj passed away at the age of 83 at his home, in the early hours of Monday, January 17. (Source: Express Archive)

READ ‘India loses a legend of performing arts’: Tributes pour in for kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj

As per reports, he was suffering from a kidney ailment and was on a dialysis treatment. (Source: Express Archive)

READ ‘India loses a legend of performing arts’: Tributes pour in for kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj

Maharaj-ji, who is survived by five children and five grandchildren, passed away surrounded by his family and disciples. (Source: Express Archive)

READ ‘There are many wonderful dancers in Bollywood, but my favourite is Madhuri Dixit’: Pandit Birju Maharaj

He was an exponent of the Lucknow Kalka-Bindadin gharana of Kathak dance in India. (Source: Express Archive)

READ Pt Birju Maharaj, storyteller who blurred gender norms to become one of the foremost masters of Kathak, passes away at 83

He was not just a dancer par excellence but also practiced Hindustani classical music, and was a vocalist. (Source: Express Archive)

READ ‘India loses a legend of performing arts’: Tributes pour in for kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj

He was trained by his uncles — Lachhu Maharaj and Shambhu Maharaj — and his father, Acchan Maharaj. (Source: Express Archive)

READ ‘India loses a legend of performing arts’: Tributes pour in for kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj

Pandit Birju Maharaj started teaching Kathak at the tender age of 13, at the Sangeet Bharti in New Delhi. (Source: Express Archive)

READ ‘India loses a legend of performing arts’: Tributes pour in for kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj

He also taught the dance form at the Bharatiya Kala Kendra in Delhi, and at the Kathak Kendra before opening his own dance school, Kalashram. (Source: Express Archive)

READ ‘India loses a legend of performing arts’: Tributes pour in for kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj

In 1986, he was conferred with India's second-highest civilian honour, Padma Vibhushan. (Source: Express Archive)

READ ‘India loses a legend of performing arts’: Tributes pour in for kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj

He had choreographed a handful of memorable songs in Bollywood, including Chhede Mohe for Devdas and Mohe Rang Do Laal in Bajirao Mastani. (Source: Express Archive)

READ ‘India loses a legend of performing arts’: Tributes pour in for kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj

Recently, in an exclusive interview with indianexpress.com, he had revealed that actor Madhuri Dixit was his favourite. "She is a trained Kathak dancer and has natural grace." (Source: Express Archive)

READ ‘There are many wonderful dancers in Bollywood, but my favourite is Madhuri Dixit’: Pandit Birju Maharaj

"He was my guru but also my friend. He taught me the intricacies of dance and Abhinay but never failed to make me laugh at his funny anecdotes," Madhuri wrote, paying tribute to her 'guru'. (Source: Express Archive)

READ ‘India loses a legend of performing arts’: Tributes pour in for kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called his death "an irreparable loss to the art world". (Source: Express Archive)

READ ‘India loses a legend of performing arts’: Tributes pour in for kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj

“Pandit Birju ji Maharaj was a doyen of India’s art and culture. His passing away is a monumental loss to the world of performing arts," Defence minister Rajnath Singh wrote. (Source: Express Archive)

READ ‘India loses a legend of performing arts’: Tributes pour in for kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj