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The living legend of Kathak, Birju Maharaj, who had been diagnosed with kidney disease a few days ago and put on dialysis, died at his home here on Sunday. He was 83.
Did you know Birju Maharaj had choreographed two famous tracks of contemporary cinema — ‘Kahe Chhed Mohe’, filmed on Madhuri Dixit in the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer ‘Devdas’ (2002), and ‘Mohe Rang Do Laal’, which was picturised on Deepika Padukone, in ‘Bajirao Mastani’ (2015).
Both were Sanjay Leela Bhansali films bearing his unmistakable stamp of grandeur and languid storytelling. His production house, which is celebrating its silver jubilee this year, remembered its association with Maharaj ji by posting two throwback pictures from the sets of the films.
Describing him as an “incredible talent” and an “inspiration for many”, Bhansali Productions said in its heartfelt tribute: “We’d just like to say, thank you, for being a part of our journey and for allowing us to be a small part of yours. It goes without saying but dancing to Kathak will never be the same again.”
On a personal note, Madhuri Dixit remembered the lighter side of Maharaj ji, whose hallmark was his infectious smile. The actress wrote on social media: “He was a legend but had a childlike innocence. He was my guru but also my friend. He taught me the intricacies of dance and abhinaya but never failed to make me laugh at his funny anecdotes.”
On a related note, Maharaj ji, as he was popularly known, was said to be playing with his grandsons when his health unexpectedly deteriorated, requiring him to be rushed to the hospital, where he died of a heart attack.
A recipient of the country’s second highest civilian honour, Padma Vibhushan, Maharaj ji was also a lifelong Kathak guru as well as a talented Hindustani classical singer and percussionist.
With IANS inputs
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