VARANASI: India has lost one of its greatest voices in Hindustani classical music with the passing of Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, who breathed his last early Thursday morning at the age of 89. The Padma Vibhushan awardee was undergoing treatment for age-related health issues and had been hospitalized for over two weeks before his condition worsened late Wednesday night.
According to his daughter Namrata Mishra, the veteran vocalist passed away around 4 a.m. while under medical care. He had been residing with her in Mirzapur in his final days. His health had been fragile for some time, but his death has left a deep void in the Indian classical music community.
Pandit Mishra was widely revered for his mastery across a range of traditional forms including Khayal, Thumri, Dadra, Chaiti, Kajri, and devotional Bhajans. A torchbearer of the Banaras Gharana and the Purbi Ang of Thumri, he trained under his father Badri Prasad Mishra, as well as Ustad Abdul Ghani Khan and Thakur Jaidev Singh of the Kirana Gharana.
Born in 1936 in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhannulal Mishra earned acclaim not only for his impeccable technique but for his ability to bring depth, emotion, and accessibility to classical music. His performances, rich with expression and devotion, captivated audiences across the globe.
Tributes poured in from across the country, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing his sorrow on social media. In a heartfelt message, he said, “Extremely saddened by the passing of renowned classical singer Pandit Chhannulal Mishra ji. He dedicated his life to enriching Indian art and culture. He brought classical music to the masses and played a vital role in taking Indian traditions to the world stage.”
Modi, who shares a personal connection with the late maestro, recalled that Mishra had proposed his name for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat in 2014. “I have always been fortunate to receive his blessings,” the Prime Minister added.
Mishra was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 2010 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2020 — two of India’s highest civilian awards, recognizing his lifelong contribution to Indian classical music.
Fondly known as “Sangeet Samrat,” Pandit Chhannulal Mishra is survived by his three daughters and son, Ramkumar Mishra, a noted tabla artist. His wife had passed away four years earlier.
The maestro’s final rites will be held in Varanasi at 5 p.m., where musicians, admirers, and students are expected to gather in large numbers to pay their last respects to a true pillar of Indian musical heritage.
