Acchan maharaj biography of albert

NEW DELHI (AP) — Birju Maharaj, a legend of classical Indian dance and among the country’s most well-known performing artists, died Monday. He was 83.

Maharaj was suffering from a kidney ailment and was undergoing dialysis and likely died of a cardiac arrest, his granddaughter Ragini Maharaj told the Press Trust of India news agency.

Known as Maharaj-ji by his many fans, he was considered an icon of the kathak form of Indian classical dance and was a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award.

He was born into a family of renowned kathak dancers and trained under his uncles and father, Acchan Maharaj, before giving his first performance at the age of 7.

Kathak uses dance and facial expressions to help tell a story, with many dance pieces inspired by ancient Indian epics.

Maharaj was known for his animated facial expressions and light-footed movements, accompanied by the sound of bells he wore around his ankles. He would often draw inspiration from his own life in his performances and was a skillful storyteller.

He was also an acclaimed teacher of kathak and taught students at some of the country’s most premier dance institutions. In the late 1990s, Maharaj opened his own dance school, Kalashram, in the capital New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply saddened” and that his death was an “irreparable loss to the entire art world,” in a tweet.

“Very few artists have been equally good as performers and as teachers. Maharaj ji certainly scaled new heights in both roles,” Indian classical dancer Geeta Chandran posted on Facebook. “His contribution to the world of dance is indeed historic, and will certainly be carried forward by his absolutely amazing tribe of disciples and students.”

“We have lost an unparalleled institution in the field of performing arts. He has influenced many generations through his genius,” singer Adnan Sami said.

The Assoc

Google today paid tribute to Kathak queen Sitara Devi on her 97th birth anniversary with a doodle. The legendary dancer was responsible for popularising the classical dance form across India post independence. Such was her devotion for her craft that Rabindranath Tagore gave her the moniker of Nritrya Samragini, after watching her perform at an age of 16. Born on November 8, 1920 in a Brahmin family in Kolkata, Sitara Devi went on to become the greatest exponent of Kathak dance of 20th century.

Breaking convention

Her father, Sukhadev Maharaj — a Vaishnavite scholar- was known as the source of the Benaras gharana of Kathake. He earned his livelihood by teaching and performing Kathak dances.He soon discovered her daughter’s passion for dancing and decided to break the social convention that a Brahmin girl should not learn dancing.”People were horrified hearing ghunguroo sounds from our house, because only tawaifs wore ghunguroos. But my father declared his daughters would not be confined to a life of dishwashing and housework.People retorted, will they dance in mujras?…If I am no more, and if tomorrow, God forbid, Birju Maharaj is no more, it will be the end of Kathak.” Devi she told The Hindu in an interview in 2009.  Sukhadev Maharaj, who himself was well-versed in the Natya Shastra taught Sitara Devi the concepts of tandava and lasya.

Protested against Child marriage

As it was a norm of that time, Sitara’s marriage was fixed when she was only eight years old. However, she protested and demanded school education. She was enrolled at Kamachhagarh High School where her teachers also recognised her knack for dancing and asked her to teach other students as well.

Extraordinary career

In a career spanning six decades, Sitara Devi took Kathak to new heights. In fact, much before stalwarts like Gopi Krishna and Birju

"Every dancer must strive for perfection, but it is the imperfections that make the dance truly unique and human."- Pt. Birju Maharaj

In the realm of Indian classical dance, there are a few legendary personalities who have left an indelible mark on the art form. One such luminary is the celebrated Kathak dancer, Pandit Birju Maharaj. Known for his impeccable footwork, expressive storytelling, and mesmerizing performances, Birju Maharaj has become a true ambassador of Indian dance worldwide. This blog explores the extraordinary journey of this maestro, from his early struggles to the pinnacle of success, leaving us inspired and in awe of his brilliance.

Early Life and Artistic Heritage of Birju Maharaj

Born as Brijmohan Mishra on February 4, 1938, in Varanasi, India, Birju Maharaj hails from a lineage of illustrious Kathak dancers. He was introduced to the rich cultural heritage of dance and music at a very young age, as his father, Acchan Maharaj, and uncles, Lachhu Maharaj and Shambhu Maharaj, were all esteemed Kathak exponents. Under their tutelage, Birju Maharaj imbibed the essence of Kathak and its intricate techniques, honing his skills with unwavering dedication.

Initial Struggles and Triumphs

Despite being born into a family of renowned artists, Birju Maharaj's journey was not without challenges. In his early years, he faced financial difficulties and lacked opportunities to showcase his talent. However, his unyielding determination and passion for dance propelled him forward. 

Birju Maharaj's breakthrough came when he caught the attention of the great filmmaker Satyajit Ray, who recognized his brilliance and cast him as a choreographer and dancer in the film "Shatranj Ke Khilari". This marked the beginning of his illustrious career and opened doors to wider recognition.

Artistic Contributions and Innovations

Birju Maharaj's contributions to the world of