Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, one of many greats of Hindustani classical music who melded people and ragas, tradition and devotion, and sang to us of the enjoyment of Holi, the craving for ‘sawan’ and timeless tales from the Ramayana, died in Mirzapur on Thursday. He was 89.
That Thursday was Dussehra, the day within the Ram katha when good vanquished evil, was maybe a coincidence that the vocalist, described by some as a revered religious voice of the Banaras gharana and the voice of Kashi, would have loved.
The Padma Vibhushan awardee, recognized for his uncommon present of turning his performances right into a dialog with the divine and his masterful command over varied music kinds, breathed his final round 4 am.
Mishra, who misplaced his spouse Manorama and a daughter, Sangeeta, throughout Covid, had been staying in Mirzapur for a while together with his youngest daughter’s household. He leaves behind his son, tabla participant Ramkumar Mishra, and three daughters.
In line with his household, Mishra’s well being deteriorated late Wednesday evening.
“He was admitted to the hospital for the final 17-18 days with age-related points. He handed away at dwelling this morning at round 4 am,” his daughter Namrata Mishra informed PTI.
The mortal stays had been consigned to flames on the Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi within the night, she mentioned after the final rites, including that the ‘mukhagni’ was carried out by his grandson (son of Ramkumar Mishra).
Earlier, the physique was dropped at his residence in Chhoti Gaibi space in Varanasi within the afternoon. A bunch of eminent individuals, together with politicians, and 1000’s of native residents paid their final respects.
Although skilled within the Kirana gharana’s ‘khayal gayaki’, Mishra earned wider acclaim as a grasp of thumri, whereas additionally making important contributions to different varieties resembling dadra, chaiti, kajri and bhajan.
His deeply shifting renditions embody “Sawan Jhar Lagela Dheere Dheere”, a soulful kajri steeped in monsoon longing, “Kaise Sajan Ghar Jaibe”, a heart-wrenching thumri exploring themes of separation and devotion, and his highly effective sohar renditions — conventional people songs that commemorate the enjoyment of childbirth. Considered one of his hottest maybe is the evocative Barsan Laagi Badriya with Girija Devi.
A purist, Mishra largely stayed away from lending his voice to Bollywood songs, Nonetheless, introduced classical richness to some tracks like “Saans Albeli” and “Kaun Si Dor” for the 2011 movie “Aarakshan”, efficiently bridging the hole between conventional and widespread music.
President Droupadi Murmu mentioned his loss of life was an “irreparable loss to Indian music”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hailed the vocalist for his invaluable contribution to Indian arts, famous that Mishra was one of many proposers for his candidature from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat in 2014. His renditions carried the essence of town’s musical heritage, Modi mentioned in an announcement.
“I’m deeply saddened by the passing of famend classical vocalist Pandit Chhannulal Mishra ji. All through his life, he remained dedicated to the enrichment of Indian artwork and tradition.
“He not solely introduced classical music nearer to the lots but additionally performed a significant position in showcasing Indian traditions on the worldwide stage… On this second of grief, I prolong my heartfelt condolences to his household and admirers. Om Shanti,” the PM posted on X.
In line with Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, who expressed his deep unhappiness on the loss of life of the maestro of the Banaras Gharana of Hindustani classical music, Mishra’s lifelong dedication enriched Indian music and tradition.
Expressing grief, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath posted in X, “You devoted your total life to the upliftment of Indian classical music. Your singing is an inspiration to artwork practitioners,. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant salvation to the departed soul and provides energy to his bereaved household, followers, and followers to bear this immense grief…”
Born in 1936 in Hariharpur village, Azamgarh, Mishra was initiated into music by his father, the late Pandit Badri Prasad Mishra. He was later skilled within the Kirana gharana model below Ustad Abdul Ghani Khan, and was additional mentored by famend musicologist Thakur Jaidev Singh, who helped refine his understanding of the deeper nuances of Indian classical music.
His ties to music additionally prolonged into his marital household — his father-in-law was the acclaimed tabla maestro Pandit Anokhe Lal.
An immensely educated artist, with an illustrious profession spanning over six many years, Mishra expressed his concern over the declining curiosity among the many youth in pursuing classical arts in an interview with PTI in 2020.
It was a pattern he believed was threatening the survival of a convention that has represented India’s wealthy cultural heritage for hundreds of years.
“No person is coming to study today… they’ve change into masters of their heads. They suppose that simply because they’ll sing a ‘taan’ higher than guru ji, there isn’t any have to study. What they do not perceive is that studying an artwork requires seriousness, it requires a substantial amount of persistence,” he mentioned.
In her tribute, celebrated people singer Malini Awasthi mentioned he was one of many first artistes within the classical custom to earn deep respect throughout numerous varieties — from khayal and thumri to bhajans devoted to Bholenath and Devi.
Together with his passing, “Kashi’s people voice has gone silent”, she mentioned.
Awasthi described him not solely as a “grasp musician” but additionally as a “religious spiritualist”, noting that it was this uncommon mix of musical brilliance and devotion that led audiences to request devotional songs alongside classical items throughout his performances.
Regardless of his widespread fame and common invites to carry out in cities far and broad, she famous that he led a humble life, “residing in a small room barely massive sufficient to suit three individuals”.
“Mishra ji as soon as mentioned, ‘All the youngsters ask me to maneuver, however how can I go away my God behind?’ He would typically recite sacred verses like Manas Ki Chaupai throughout his conversations. This humility and religious grounding had been as a lot part of his legacy as his profound musical genius,” she informed PTI Movies.
Actor-singer Durga Jasraj, daughter of the legendary Indian classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj, described his singing model as distinct and his stage presence as “magical” — particularly the way in which he would narrate the mythological backstories behind the songs he carried out.
“He actually was one of many nice pillars of Indian classical music… Whereas it could be a aid to his physique, we have now misplaced a exceptional vocalist and an irreplaceable artist,” she added.
Santoor maestro and music composer Pandit Abhay Sopori mentioned Mishra’s unparalleled artistry in khayal, thumri, dadra and devotional traditions enriched India’s cultural heritage.
In Varanasi, minister Dayashankar Mishra, Mayor Ashok Tiwari, MLA Neelkanth Tiwari, former MLC Brijesh Singh, metropolis BJP president Pradeep Agrahari, Varanasi Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal and Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai amongst others visited Mishra’s home to supply tributes.
Rai lauded Mishra’s deep affiliation with town, saying, “Banarasi essence ran via his veins. His singing carried the move of the Ganga, the perfume of Kashi’s soil, Banarasi pleasure and the longing of town’s lanes. His entire life was devoted to music. He upheld the wonderful custom of the Banaras gharana, which fused Indian music with spirituality and devotion.”
Printed on October 3, 2025
