Birju Maharaj, the legendary Kathak dancer, dies at 83

Tags: National News

Pandit Birju Maharaj, the torchbearer of Lucknow's Kalka-Bindadin Gharana of Kathak, passed away at the age of 83.

• He was a descendant of the Maharaj family of Kathak dancers, which includes his two uncles, Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj, and his father and guru, Acchan Maharaj, who served as court dancer in Raigarh princely state. 
• He also practiced Hindustani classical music and was a vocalist
• In 1964, he received the honorary Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and in 1986 he received Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second-highest civilian honor.
• He has choreographed for several films like Shatranj Ke Khiladi by Satyajit Ray till Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, Devdas, Bajirao Mastani, and many others.

Classical Dance form of India 

According to the government of India there are Eight classical dance form in India 

Dance  Origin /State 

Bharatnatyam:  Tamil Nadu 

Manipuri Dance : Manipur 

Kathak: North India, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan Delhi, Madhya Pradesh.

Odissi : Odisha 

Kathakali : Kerala 

Mohiniattam : Kerala 

Kuchipudi: Mainly Andhra Pradesh 

Sattriya : Assam