Doyen Birju Maharaj Kathak died at his Delhi home in the early hours Monday, surrounded by family and his students.
They played ‘Antakshari’ after dinner on Sunday when he suddenly became ill, said granddaughter Ragini Maharaj.
He will turn 84 next month.
Kathak dancer and choreographer Aditi Mangaldas pay tribute.
Eight decades ago, from the depths of the ancient mountains, streams appear.
Throughout his journey through valleys and forests gone, the season witnessed, from the earth and living creatures were maintained, it grows into a tributary of the river dynamic and dynamic.
My teacher, Pandit Birju Maharaj Ji, is this river that are now merged into the ocean of eternity.
This is the river that left many tributaries to inspire motivate and reward the dance to many artists around the world.
Brijmohan Mishra born into Kalka-Bindadeen famous Gharana of Kathak, which has many great artists before him, he is a miracle child.
Perendamannya deep in shape, intelligent observation of nature / humanity and expansive imagination take Kathak outside the geographical context and bring it to the middle, not only in India but globally.
He not only changed the repertoire of Kathak but his presentation, pedagogy, lifetime and yet remain intact.
Although the dance itself is a tradition that he inherited from his family, he created the ‘at this time’.
But every life experience, however minute, given a new meaning in the most profound dance.
Let me tell anecdotes that show you what I mean with an active life at this time.
I remember being so excited when he told me that I would be part of the festival tour of India to the UK in 1982.
I practiced and practiced again what choreography, and finally the day came.
I stood in the wings, waiting to enter the theater to the big London when Ji Maharaj danced off the stage and into the wings to tell us, “Cut this Tukda, go to the last part”.
And then he returned to the stage! He felt the pulse of the audience, and feel the need to improvise on the spot.
He is always evolving and changing.
He was into the wind and we just follow where the wind blows, and suddenly a new world emerging.
How can one pay respects to Maharaj Ji? He’s not the only teacher and dancer but also a choreographer ( ‘devdas’, ‘Bajirao Mastani’ and many others), singer, percussion player and composer.
If it is not quite surprising, he wrote poetry and painting too! He was awarded many awards around the world, including the prestigious Padma Vibhushan.
However, all these awards dim compared to the magnitude of art.
Every breath he took was immersed in dance, body, mind and heart of the resonance of his bell.
I remember how happy holding impromptu Ji Maharaj Baithaks in the classroom where she will sing and perform Abhinaya, regale us with jokes (he has a sense of humor so great) and also perform certain frightening expression with just his eyes.
It changed the face and suddenly see the anger and evil.
Although I knew it was coming, I’d still be screaming in horror.
The entire class then would laugh at her silly fear of Ahmedabad.
How to oversize a legendary performing artists such as Maharaj Ji resonate through the centuries? However, dance is not tangible, instantaneous, something that can not hold a person.
Radiant Art resonance Ji Maharaj will live through many tributaries that she gave birth to and nurtured.
Many of us will forever cherish the gift of dance that she gave to us.
Pranaam my deepest and most respect.