Why in News?

The famous Kathak dancer Birju Maharaj, who took the traditional Indian dance form 'Kathak' to the world stage and was honored with countless honors like Padma Vibhushan, Nritya Shiromani, Sangeet Natak Akademi, passed away.

Key Points:

=> Brij Mohan Nath Mishra (popularly known as Pandit Birju Maharaj), one of India's most famous and favorite artists, belonged to the Kalka-Bindadin gharana of Lucknow, a classical Kathak dance form. He was born on February 4, 1938 in Lucknow.

=> Birju Maharaj's father and guru Achhan Maharaj, uncle Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj were also famous Kathak dancers.

=> The artistic personality of Pandit Birju Maharaj has been such, which is considered to be beyond logic. He was a guru, dancer, choreographer, singer and composer. He used to play percussion, write poetry and paint. His disciples are well-known artists and have spread all over the world.

=> Awarded Padma Vibhushan in 1983, Birju Maharaj also choreographed dance in several Bollywood films, including Umrao Jaan, Dedh Ishqiya, Bajirao Mastani. Apart from Padma Vibhushan, he has also received Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and Kalidas Samman.

=> In 2012, he was awarded the National Film Award for choreography in the film Vishwaroopam. Apart from this, he received the Filmfare Award in the year 2016 for the choreography of the song 'Mohe Rang Do Laal' by Bajirao Mastani.

=> Along with this, he also received honorary doctorates from Banaras Hindu University and Khairagarh University.