Pt. Chhannulal Mishra

Pandit Chhannulal Mishra is a legendary Indian classical vocalist renowned for his mastery over Hindustani classical music, particularly the Kirana gharana and the iconic Purab Ang style of Banaras. Born in Hariharpur, Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, he received initial music training from his father, Pandit Badri Prasad Mishra, and later trained under Ustad Abdul Ghani Khan of the Kirana gharana and Thakur Prasad Mishra. His singing is celebrated for its deep emotional resonance, intricate ornamentation, and seamless blend of classical rigor with expressive semi-classical genres such as Thumri, Dadra, Chaiti, Kajri, and Sawani. Over a career spanning several decades, Pt. Chhannulal Mishra has served as a global ambassador for Indian traditional music. He captured mainstream popular acclaim for his soulful playback singing in the hit Bollywood film 'Raanjhanaa' (2013), particularly through tracks like 'Saanwara Re' and 'Aise Na Chhoro'. Beyond cinema, his divine renditions of Tulsidas's 'Ramcharitmanas', Shiv Stuti, and traditional Banarasi folk forms have cemented his reputation as a master storyteller through song. Possessing a versatile, rich classical male vocal range marked by deep spiritual resonance, he has received some of India's highest honors for his monumental contributions to the arts. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2010 and India's second-highest civilian honor, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2020, alongside the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2014.