The demise of a cultural pillar

Padma Vibhushan awardee and legendary Kathak exponent Pandit Birju Maharaj passed away yesterday, after suffering from a massive heart attack. He was 83 years old. Tributes started pouring out for the legend, as soon as the news of his death was announced. The entire art world mourned his loss, including the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. "His passing is an irreparable loss to the entire world of art," he had said on twitter.

A recipient of the country's second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, he was born as Brijmohan Nath Mishra on February 4, 1937, in a well-known family of Kathak dancers.

Having started his craft from the age of 13, he served his craft for more than 5 decades, with his work becoming synonymous to excellence in Kathak.

 "I have been one of the most loved students of Maharaj Ji," says Shibli Mohammad, Pandit Birju Maharaj's first Bangladeshi student, and an eminent Kathak exponent in his own right. "I still remember how he did not hesitate to take off his kurta and give it to me at that instant, when I appreciated it during his visit to Bangladesh for a programme arranged by Bengal Foundation."

The nostalgic student also talked about the pandit's love for technology, and how he always wanted to upgrade himself, keeping up with new trends.

"I last spoke to him on December 17, and he had expressed his wish to visit Bangladesh. My biggest regret will be that I failed to fulfil the last wish by my guru, my friend, and my father figure," shares an emotional Shibli Mohammad, who is also the co-director of Nrityanchal Dance Company. 

Besides father Achchan Maharaj and uncles Shambhu and Lachchu Maharaj, Birju Maharaj was influenced by Bindadeen Maharaj.

Kathak exponent Shamim Ara Nipa also had the privilege of working alongside the maestro, at various workshops and performances. "I was not his direct student, but I did play the lead in dance drama 'Abhishar', directed by him," mentions Nipa, who first met him at a workshop in China.

 "His mesmerizing performances, unparalleled creativity, and the ability to showcase any theme through the lenses of Kathak makes him the greatest maestro in the field of Indian classical."

Pandit Birju Maharaj donned several hats during his lifetime. While he was best known as a Kathak dancer, he was an equally prolific singer, poet, and painter.

Celebrated dancer Saju Ahmed also shares his memories with his guru, talking about his excellence and finesse. "He used to sing amazing Thumri, played the Tabla equally well, and his words fall short if we intend to talk about his Kathak performances," says the performer. "He achieved perfection in anything he touched."

Eminent Kathak Dancer Munmun Ahmed also recalled her memories of her Maharaj Ji. "His contribution in art, be it music, dance, or fine art, is unmatched," she shares. "He was a complete stranger to pride, arrogance, and ego, and that's what made him special to all his students."

Pandit Birju Maharaj always appreciated his students, and rejoiced in their successes.  "I don't have any memory of Maharaj Ji scolding me or anyone from our class," mentions noted dancer and choreographer Kochi Rahman. "I will deeply miss his love, his company and his advice. A teacher like him comes once in a lifetime."

Pandit Birju Maharaj left behind three daughters and two sons, however, all his students were like his children.

There is no page in history that can hold the numerous achievements and contributions of Pandit Birju Maharaj, a true cultural pillar, loved by all. His body of work did not care about man-made boundaries of a nation, neither the one-dimensional restrictions of genre, as noted by his students all over the world.

"He was my guru, my friend, and my father figure" 
- Shibli Mohammad

"His mesmerizing performances, unparalleled creativity, and the ability to showcase any theme through the lenses of Kathak makes him the greatest maestro in the field of Indian classical"  
-Shamim Ara Nipa

"He achieved perfection in anything he touched" 
- Saju Ahmed

"He was a complete stranger to pride, arrogance, and ego, and that's what made him special to all his students" 
- Munmun Ahmed

"A teacher like him comes once in a lifetime" 
- Kochi Rahman