Maharaj, a legend of Indian classical dance, was the winner of India's second-highest citizen honor, the Padma Vibhushan. Birju Maharaj, a traditional Indian dance icon and one of the nation's best-known performers, has died. He was 83 years old.
Pandit Birju Maharaj was an Indian Kathak dancer, composer, vocalist, and student of the Lucknow 'Kalka-Bindadin' Gharana. He was descended from the Kathak dance Maharaj family, which included his 2 uncles, Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj, as well as his dad and mentor, Acchan Maharaj. He was another singer and practiced Hindustani musical instruments. After teaching with his uncle, Shambhu Maharaj, at Bhartiya Kala Kendra, afterward the Kathak Kendra in New Delhi, he stayed the other's head for a few years until his resignation in 1998, when he started hisdance studio, Kalashram, also in Delhi.
