Earlier on Monday,
Padma Vibhushan awardee
,
Pt Birju Maharaj
breathed his last at the age of 83. He passed away at New Delhi’s Saket Hospital after suffering from a heart attack. The whole nation is mourning the demise of India's leading Kathak exponent.
The news of his passing away has brought back so many memories, including the time when he told us that
Madhuri Dixit is his favorite. Talking to ETimes exclusively last year, during his visit to a cultural program,
Birju Maharaj Ji
said, “Madhuri Dixit is one of my most favorites. She treats me like a guru (teacher). To date, she calls me and asks me when I am coming to Mumbai. She also asks me to spend an evening with her whenever I am in the city.”
He also mentioned
Jackie Shroff in the list of his favorites. “Jackie Shroff treats me with the utmost respect. He gives me a call almost every 15 days. So there are many like these,” said the late legendary artist.
Though Birju Maharaj Ji has given us some of the most beautiful pieces of Bollywood dance choreographies, he believed that only a few filmmakers understand the beauty and worth of classical dance forms. According to him, not everyone had an eye for the art form and didn’t know how to present it in the right way.
Nevertheless, Pt. Birju Maharaj Ji was the one who gave the most mesmerizing song choreographies, and there are no words enough to thank him for the same.