Legendary Kathak dancer Birju Maharaj died at his home here in the early hours of January 17, his granddaughter said. He would have been eighty four next month. Maharaj-ji, as he was popularly known, died surrounded by his family. They have been enjoying ‘antakshari’ after dinner when he unexpectedly took ill, Ragini Maharaj informed PTI
Birju Maharaj was from Lucknow’s Kalka-Bindadin Gharana. He is survived by using 5 children, three daughters and two sons, and 5 grandchildren
He had been suffering from a kidney disease and was beneath dialysis remedy for the ultimate month due to excessive diabetes. He possibly died of a cardiac arrest, his granddaughter said
“He was with us when this happened. He had his dinner and we had been enjoying ‘antakshari’ because he cherished historic music. He was once mendacity down… and unexpectedly his breathing became uneven. We assume it was cardiac arrest as he was also a coronary heart patient
“This happened between 12.15 and 12.30 a.m. It must have been simply a minute or so. We rushed to the hospital however unfortunately, we ought to not save him. He died earlier than attaining the hospital,” Ragini Maharaj said. Ragini Maharaj, a Kathak dancer herself, stated the solely solace for the household is that he did no longer go through too a good deal in his remaining moments.
Condolences poured in as news of the death of the Kathak maestro Birju Maharaj came.
