Maharaj was born to a Brahmin family of hereditary musicians in Kabir Chaura, Benaras.[1] His father was Hari Maharaj and his mother was Anjora Devi. He was adopted by his father's older brother, Kanthe Maharaj, who did not have children of his own.[3]
Maharaj's musical guidance was initiated by his father. Maharaj was six years old when his father died. Afterwards, Maharaj's musical training continued with Kanthe Maharaj and lasted for give years.
Musical career
Kishan Maharaj standing (second row, eighth from left) with other leading musicians in 1948.
Maharaj began performing in concerts by age 11. He moved to Bombay in 1944 to pursue a music career and initially struggled. He provided tabla accompaniment to Sitara Devi in the Hindi film Badi Maa (1945).
Among all his compositions, his "Tala Vadya Kacheri" with the Mridangam Vidwan, "Palghat Raghu" stood out. Maharaj extensively toured and participated in several prestigious events across the world, including the Edinburgh Festival and the Commonwealth Arts festival in the United Kingdom in 1965. He has toured across the UK, USSR, Switzerland, Poland, Yugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia.
Artistry
Maharaj had the ability to play cross-rhythms and produce complex calculations, particularly in tihai patterns. Known as an excellent accompanist, Maharaj was extremely versatile and capable of playing with any accompaniment, be it with the Sitar, Sarod, Dhrupad, Dhamar or even dance.
Death
Maharaj died on 4 May 2008 at Khajuri near Varanasi, aged 84.[5]
Legacy
Maharaj trained many disciples, several of whom have become prominent musicians. This includes:
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