Pandit Brijmohan Nath Mishra, popularly known as Birju Maharaj is an internationally renowned Kathak dancer. He was born in 1937 in an illustrious family of dance masters of the Lucknow gharana and trained by his father Acchan Maharaj and uncles, Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj, all renowned dancers of that time.
After the unfortunate demise of his father when he was just 9 years old, Pandit-ji‟s family moved to Delhi. Once in Delhi, he started to teach Kathak at the young age of just 13! He then taught at the Bharatiya Kala Kendra in Delhi, and at the Kathak Kendra (a unit of the Sangeet Natak Academy) where he was Head of Faculty, and Director. After retiring in 1998, he started Kalashram, his own Indian Fine Arts Academy. He is widely acclaimed not only as a performer but also as an inspiring ‘Guru’ (teacher).
Pandit Birju Maharaj is not just a flawless dancer, but a fabulous singer and percussionist. He has mastered the Hindustani Classical Music as well. This multi-faceted personality is also a superb choreographer and composer, having composed for many popular movies as well. He has toured all over the world and his students are spread far and wide.
He is the recipient of India‟s second highest Civilian Award – Padma Vibhushan. A measure of this legendary genius is the fact that he received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy Award at the age of just 28 years. Besides, he has also won many other honors and accolades. It is due to his constant efforts that Kathak has reached new heights of popularity and acceptance in India and abroad.