Legendary Kathak dancer Birju Maharaj died at his home in the early hours of Monday, his granddaughter said. He would have been 84 next month. Maharaj-ji, as he was popularly known, died surrounded by his family and disciples. They were playing antakshari' after dinner when he suddenly took ill, Ragini Maharaj told PTI.
He was a descendant of the Maharaj family of Kathak dancers which includes his two uncles, Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj, and his father and guru, Acchan Maharaj.
A recipient of the country's second-highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan, he was fondly called Pandit-ji or Maharaj-ji by his disciples and legions of followers, and was one of India's best known artistes.
The Kathak exponent, one of India's best known artistes, had been suffering from a kidney ailment and was under dialysis treatment. He probably died of a cardiac arrest, his granddaughter said.
We took him to hospital immediately but we could not save him, she said.
source https://www.firstpost.com/art-and-culture/pandit-birju-maharaj-legendary-kathak-dancer-dies-at-83-10291291.html
