Lachhu Maharaj (musician)

Laxmi Narayan Singh
Birth nameLaxmi Narayan Singh
Also known asLacchu Maharaj
BornMarch 9, 1944
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
DiedJuly 28, 2016(2016-07-28) (aged 72)
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
GenresHindustani classical music
OccupationMusician
InstrumentTabla

Laxmi Narayan Singh (16 October 1944 - 28 July 2016) known professionally as Lachhu Maharaj was an Indian Tabla Player of Banaras Gharana. Maharaj was born on 16 October 1944 to Vasudev Narayan Singh. His sister is Nirmala Devi, mother of Bollywood actor Govind Arun Ahuja. He was married to the noted Kathak dancer Annapurna Mishra Singh and they had one daughter Rachna. After Annapurna's demise, he married Swiss woman Teena and they had one daughter Narayani. He had given many professional tabla performances performed all over the world. He was featured in films. He was nominated for Padma Shri but refused to accept it he felt that the appreciations of his audience was enough for him.

Death

Maharaj Singh died on 28 July 2016, at the age of 71.[1] He was cremated in Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.[2]

Condolences were received from Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.[3] Politician Sonia Gandhi commented that "His contributions to classical as well as the popular film genre would forever inspire artistes in the years to come."[2][4]

Then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav, said in his condolence message that 'Lacchu Maharaj popularized tabla playing internationally with his talented performances, and his death was a huge loss'.[2][5]

Classical singer Girija Devi said it was an irreparable loss, and Maharaj knew the nuances of tabla like no other artist.[6]

On 16 October 2018, Google dedicated a doodle to Lachhu Maharaj on his 74th birthday anniversary.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Tabla maestro Pandit Lacchu Maharaj dies in Varanasi". The Indian Express. 28 July 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "Mortal remains of Pt Lacchu Maharaj consigned to flames". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  3. ^ "Tabla maestro Pandit Lacchu Maharaj dies in Varanasi". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 20 November 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  4. ^ "Sonia condoles death of Pandit Lacchu Maharaj". Business Standard India. 28 July 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  5. ^ "CM Akhilesh gives condolence on death of Lachhu Maharaj". Patrika. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  6. ^ "World Famous Tabla Player Lachhu Maharaj Passes Away". Nai Dunia - Jagran. 28 July 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  7. ^ "Google pays homage to noted tabla maestro Lachhu Maharaj on 110th birthday". Financial Express. 10 October 2018.