Lakshmi Narayan Singh, also known Lacchu Maharaj, is a tabla artist who was born on October 16, 2019 in Benaras. The tabla player had fans in the industry as well as amongst the audience. He was also famous for his multiple Kathak dance performances. The artist was nominated for a Padma Shri. He died on July 28, 2016, and was cremated in the Manikarnika Ghat of Varanasi at the age of 71. Here are a few things about the musician that are not likely to be well-known by the audience.

Unknown facts about Lacchu Maharaj

Lacchu Maharaj was widely appreciated for his hour-long tabla performances. He could reportedly play the instrument for hours. His composition had zero repetition or monotony. He reportedly believed that the greatest form of appreciation that he received was in the form of applause from his audience. He is supposed to have rejected a Padma Shri for the same reason. He was heard saying on various occasions that he does not need any other form of appreciation. As reported by a leading daily, the renowned legendary tabla player, Ahmed Jaan Thirakwa, was so impressed by the live performance of Lacchu Maharaj that he once said, “I wish Lacchu was my son.” 

Lacchu Maharaj was put behind bars during the Emergency period. He would reportedly perform in the cell as a form of protest. In the year 1957, he received the Sangeet Natak Akademi award, which is considered to be one of the highest honours to be given to an artist. On October 16, 2018, which marked the 74th birth anniversary of Lacchu Maharaj, Google honoured the tabla player with a doodle on their homepage.

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Grief over the legendary tabla player's death

When Lacchu Maharaj passed away on July 28, 2016, a number of renowned politicians expressed their grief. One of them was the honourable Prime Minister of the country, Shri Narendra Modi. Sonia Gandhi, the Indian politician associated with The Indian National Congress, spoke about his contributions to classical music as well as popular films. Other politicians like Akhilesh Yadav also expressed their sorrow over the country’s loss in their condolence messages.

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