Classical Singer Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, Famous For Thumri And 'Saans Albeli', Dies At 91

Legendary classical singer Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, a prominent figure in Indian classical music, has passed away at the age of 91.

Pandit Mishra, known for his powerful voice and thumri singing, died on Thursday, Dussehra, in Varanasi after a prolonged battle with health issues. He was admitted to BHU a few days ago and discharged after showing signs of recovery. However, his daughter Namrata Mishra recently confirmed his passing. His death is considered an irreparable loss to the music world.

He had been battling kidney complications along with multiple chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, BPH, and ARDS.

A recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, Pandit Mishra was a renowned artist of Hindustani classical and semi-classical

music. Born on August 3, 1936, in Hariharpur village of Azamgarh district, Uttar Pradesh, he first trained under his father, Pandit Badri Prasad Mishra, before learning from Ustad Abdul Ghani Khan of the Kirana Gharana. He later received advanced training from musicologist Thakur Jaidev Singh.

Pandit Mishra was a notable representative of the Banaras Gharana and enchanted millions with his deep, soulful voice. His albums “Raag Virat” and “Thumri Mehfil” remain favourites among classical music enthusiasts.

Residing in Azamgarh, he made the holy city of Kashi his workplace, where he achieved mastery in classical music. He received several top honours during his lifetime, including the Padma Vibhushan in 2020, the Padma Bhushan in 2010, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2000.

Pandit Mishra also contributed to Bollywood and was a proposer for Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2014 Varanasi elections.

Chhannulal Mishra was widely known for his bhajans and ghazals, but he also left a mark in Bollywood with the song ‘Saans Albeli‘ from the film Aarakshan, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, and Deepika Padukone.

Picturised on Deepika and Saif, the track became immensely popular and continues to evoke memories of Pandit Mishra even today.

Pandit Chhannulal Mishra leaves behind a rich musical legacy, with his son Ramkumar Mishra continuing his lineage as a renowned tabla player.