Who was the father of Pt. Birju Maharaj ?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 1:
Pandit Birju Maharaj's father was **Achhan Maharaj**, whose original name was Jagannath Maharaj. Achhan Maharaj was one of the foremost Kathak dancers of his time and a celebrated exponent of the Lucknow Gharana, known for his masterful fusion of *Nritta* (pure dance) and *Bhava* (expression). He was the first guru to his son, Birju Maharaj, and established the foundation for his training before his untimely death when the maestro was only nine years old. Achhan Maharaj's legacy lies in being the direct patriarchal link that transferred the deep artistic knowledge of the Kalka-Bindadin family to its most globally recognized representative.

The incorrect option is 2:
**Lachhu Maharaj** (original name Baijnath Prasad) was not the father but the paternal uncle of Pt. Birju Maharaj. Along with his brother Shambhu Maharaj, Lachhu Maharaj was instrumental in continuing Birju Maharaj's training after the death of his father. He was a distinguished dancer and choreographer who is widely recognized for his work in classical Hindi cinema, including his famous choreography for films like *Mughal-e-Azam* and *Pakeezah*.

The incorrect option is 3:
**Bindadin Maharaj** was the illustrious great-uncle of Pandit Birju Maharaj and a legendary figure in the Kathak tradition. He, along with his brother Kalka Prasad, is considered the co-founder and chief patron of the Lucknow Kalka-Bindadin Gharana. He was the uncle and primary guru of Achhan Maharaj, thus belonging to the generation preceding Birju Maharaj's father.

The incorrect option is 4:
**Kalka Prasad** was the grandfather of Pandit Birju Maharaj. He was the brother of Bindadin Maharaj and the father of Achhan Maharaj, Lachhu Maharaj, and Shambhu Maharaj. The entire dance lineage is often referred to as the Kalka-Bindadin Gharana, honoring the contributions of both brothers in establishing the unique, graceful style of Kathak.