Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tributes to Pandit Birju Maharaj

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to express anguish over the sudden death of Kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj.

In his tweet, PM Modi acknowledged Pandit Birju Maharaj's remarkable contribution to the Indian dance form.

"Extremely saddened after learning about the demise of Pandit Birju Maharaj, who gave Indian art a special recognition across the globe. It's an irreparable loss to the entire art world. My heartfelt condolences to his family and fans. Om Shanti," he said in a tweet.

भारतीय नृत्य कला को विश्वभर में विशिष्ट पहचान दिलाने वाले पंडित बिरजू महाराज जी के निधन से अत्यंत दुख हुआ है। उनका जाना संपूर्ण कला जगत के लिए एक अपूरणीय क्षति है। शोक की इस घड़ी में मेरी संवेदनाएं उनके परिजनों और प्रशंसकों के साथ हैं। ओम शांति! pic.twitter.com/PtqDkoe8kd

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 17, 2022

Minister of Defence, Rajnath Singh, also took to Twitter to mourn the loss and said that he is pained by maestro's demise.

"Pandit Birju Maharaj was a doyen of India's and culture. He popularised the Lucknow gharana of Kathak dance from around the world. Deeply pained by his demise. His passing away is a monumental loss to the world of performing arts. Condolences to his family and admirers," the Union Minister said in a tweet.

Pandit Birju ji Maharaj was a doyen of India’s art and culture. He popularised the Lucknow gharana of Kathak dance form around the world.

Deeply pained by his demise. His passing away is a monumental loss to the world of performing arts. Condolences to his family and admirers.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) January 17, 2022

Maharaj-ji, as he was popularly known, died surrounded by his family on Monday after suffering breathlessness. He was 83. Reportedly, the Kathak exponent had been suffering from a kidney ailment and was under treatment for the past one month.