"A fakir, he gave dignity to music": Singer Soma Ghosh remembers Pandit Chhannulal Mishra

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 3 (ANI): In a heartfelt tribute to the late Hindustani classical singer Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, Padma Shri Awardee Soma Ghosh expressed her sorrow over his passing, highlighting his immense contribution to Indian music and the Banaras Gharana.
Ghosh emphasised that dedicated artists like him are rare, and his departure is a significant loss to the music community.
"Pandit Chhannulal Ji was one of those dedicated artists who are born very few in the world, and was a pillar of the Banaras Gharana. His passing is very sad for us. It is very sad for the music world because dedicated artists are gradually decreasing. He was an artist who showed us the way. He lived in a small room under the stairs, barely large enough for two people. He spread mattresses on the floor. He ate there, worshipped there, and practised his sadhana. There was no show-off. No matter who came to him, he was as pure, easygoing, and simple as Shiva. He was also deeply immersed in the scriptures. He gave immense respect to his music," she said.
She added, "He remained a complete fakir in his solitude, but gave dignity to music and the entire essence of folk music and devotional music is visible in his songs. He sang Ramayana very well. He used to recite the Ramayana a lot. He was an ardent devotee of Shiva."
Padma Vibhushan vocalist Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 89 at his daughter Namrata's residence in Mirzapur's Gangadarshan Colony, was cremated at Manikarnika Ghat with full state honours.
His grandson performed the final rites in Varanasi.
Born on August 3, 1936, in a village in Azamgarh district, Uttar Pradesh, Pandit Mishra received his initial training in music from his father and later pursued formal training in Banaras. He underwent extensive tutelage under Ustad Abdul Ghani Khan of the Kirana Gharana and became a celebrated exponent of the Banaras Gharana, particularly renowned for his mastery in Khayal and Purab Ang Thumri. His soulful performances earned him both national and international recognition.
Pandit Mishra received several prestigious awards, including the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Naushad Award, Yash Bharati Award, the Padma Bhushan in 2010, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2020. He was also conferred the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in recognition of his immense contribution to Indian classical music. (ANI)