Birju Maharaj, legend of India's kathak dance form, dies aged 83

Maharaj was considered the top exponent of the classical Indian dance form Kathak, which can be seen in many Bollywood films. He also won numerous awards, including India’s second-highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan. Photo: Filepic

Birju Maharaj, a legend of classical Indian dance and among the country’s most well-known performing artists, died Monday. He was 83.

Maharaj was suffering from a kidney ailment and was undergoing dialysis and likely died of a cardiac arrest, his granddaughter Ragini Maharaj told the Press Trust of India news agency.