Brijmohan Mishra, popularly called Pandit Birju Maharaj, was born on February 4, 1938, in Lucknow Kalka-Bindadin Gharana of Kathak dance in India.
On January 17, 2022, the legendary Kathak dancer Birju Maharaj died due to kidney failure.
Want to know more about Birju Maharaj? Here are a few unknown facts about Birju Maharaj’s life, struggle, and success.
Early Years
- Since he was a child, Birju Maharaj has been passionate about music, and it did not take him long to seek professional training in the subject. His uncles, both choreographers, trained him in dancing when he was a child and preteen.
- In addition to his father, Birju’s uncles, Lachhu and Shambhu Maharaj were also dancers when he was a child. Unfortunately, his father, Jagannath Maharaj, passed away while Birju was still a child. So he was raised by his uncles until he was fully grown.
- Birju Maharaj started his dance school at 13 years old, known as Kalashram. He taught other children and teenagers how to dance.
- As a child, Birju Maharaj was raised by his uncles, Lachhu and Shambhu Maharaj, both dancers.
- His father was a dancer named Jagannath Maharaj. Unfortunately, Birju’s father died when he was a child.
Teaching Career
- As a choreographer, Birju Maharaj took Kathak to new heights by choreographing new Kathak dance-dramas after running his dance school for a few years.
- Until his retirement in 1998, he taught the Kathak style of traditional Indian dancing at most of his teaching centers.
Film And Television Career
- He has choreographed music for many films and television shows and worked as a music director for several movies, both writing and singing songs. However, Biju Maharaj is probably best-known for his choreography in many Bollywood movies.
Awards and Accomplishments
Birju Maharaj has won the following awards for his work as a choreographer and his other dance careers.
- Padma Vibhushan Award
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and many other