Who was Pandit Chhannulal Mishra?
Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, one of the most celebrated figures in Hindustani classical music, passed away at the age of 89 in Mirzapur on October 2, 2025. He was Known as the spiritual voice of the Banaras Gharana, Mishra ji’s demise marks the end of a musical era deeply rooted in tradition, devotion, and artistic purity.His musical journey was honed under the Kirana gharana’s khayal tradition, studying with Ustad Abdul Ghani Khan and further refined by musicologist Thakur Jaidev Singh. His iconic performances such as “Sawan Jhar Lagela Dheere Dheere”, “Kaise Sajan Ghar Jaibe”, and “Barsan Laagi Badriya” (with Girija Devi) are etched in the memories of classical music lovers. Though a purist at heart, Mishra occasionally contributed to cinema, notably in the 2011 film “Aarakshan”, with songs like “Saans Albeli” and “Kaun Si Dor”, infusing Bollywood with classical soul.
