![Legendary Kathak dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj passes away](https://www.gkseries.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/download-2022-01-17T113951.491.jpg)
World-renowned Kathak dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj passed away at his residence in Delhi on 16 January. The 83-year-old had reportedly suffered a heart attack. 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.
Birju Maharaj 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. Birju Maharaj was also a singer par excellence, having command over Thumri, Dadra, Bhajan and Ghazal.