New Delhi: Google on Tuesday dedicated a doodle to the legendary tabla player Lachhu Maharaj on his 74th birth anniversary.

The doodle is a sketch of the artiste in yellow, red, green and blue colour, playing tabla with a smile of contentment on his face. 

Maharaj, who was a player of Benaras gharana, was brought up in Varanasi and learned how to play the tabla under his father, Vasudev Maharaj.

He became an excellent tabla player at a very young age and started performing on stage. Apart from his excellent performances, he also featured in several films.

Actor Govinda is Maharaj’s nephew and learned music from him during his childhood.

To protest against Emergency, Maharaj refused to accept any award bestowed on him including the Padma Shri and other state awards. He said that the appreciation of his audience was the biggest honour.

Maharaj passed away on July 28, 2016, at the age of 71. Classical singer Girija Devi, appreciating the talent of Maharaja, said that he knew the nuances of tabla like no other artist.

A Google doodle is a temporary alteration of Google homepage’s logo to commemorates holidays, events, achievements, and people.

The first Google doodle was created in 1998 to honour the burning man festival.