Artistes, music lovers mourn demise of Pt Birju Maharaj

Varanasi: The Banaras Gharana of music mourned the demise of the legendary artiste and Kathak icon Pt Birju Maharaj of Lucknow Gharana of Kathak dance.
The artistes and music lovers of Kashi paid rich tributes to the Kathak maestro. He had great affinity with Varanasi, and had also performed at the famous Sankat Mochan Music Festival.
According to the mahant of Shankat Mochan temple Prof Vishwambhar Nath Mishra, Birju Maharaj had performed several times at the temple during Sankat Mochan Music festival.
Noted vocalist Pt Chhannulal Mishra, who is also his relative, termed his demise as an irreparable loss to the music world. He had also shared the stage with Birju Maharaj.
Recalling the great personality of Birju Maharaj, noted musician and chairman of UP Sangeet Natak Akademi, Dr Rajeshwar Acharya also paid homage to him.