Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, Hindustani Classical Singer And Padma Vibhushan Awardee, Dies At 89 Due To Prolonged Illness

Hindustani singer Pandit Chhannulal Mishra died on October 2 at 4 AM in Mirzapur due to prolonged illness, confirmed his daughter Namrata Mishra. He was 89 when he breathed his last. His last rites will be held in Varanasi today. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, in 2020, for his excellence in music.

Who was Pandit Chhannulal Mishra?

Belonging to Varanasi, Pandit Chhannulal Mishra was an exponent of the Banaras gharana of Hindustani classical music and especially the Khayal and the 'Purab Ang' – Thumri. Before being awarded the Padma Vibhushan, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, in 2010. He first learnt music with his father, Badri Prasad Mishra, and was then educated by 'Ustad Abdul Ghani Khan' of the Kirana gharana. He was trained thereafter by Thakur Jaidev Singh. He has also sung songs in two Bollywood movies, Amitabh Bachchan starrer Aarakshan and Sunny Deol starrer Mohalla Assi. In Aarakshan, he sang two songs - Kaun Si Dor with Shreya Ghoshal and Saans Albeli. In Mohalla Assi, he sang the title track.

PM Modi pays tribute to legendary classical singer Pandit Chhannulal Mishra

Soon after the news broke, PM Narendra Modi penned a heartfelt note paying tribute to the legendary. "I am deeply saddened by the demise of the renowned classical singer Pandit Channulal Mishra ji. He remained dedicated throughout his life to the enrichment of Indian art and culture. Along with taking classical music to the masses, he also made an invaluable contribution to establishing Indian tradition on the global stage," he wrote on X. He further recalled his meeting with the singer and wrote, "It is my good fortune that I always received his affection and blessings. In the year 2014, he was also my proposer from the Varanasi seat. In this hour of grief, I express my deepest condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti!"

Pandit Chhannulal Mishra is survived by his daughter, Namrata Mishra, and son, Ram Kumar Mishra.