PM Modi with Pandit Channulal Mishra (Image credits: X @narendramodi)
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed deep sorrow over the death of renowned classical singer Pandit Channulal Mishra, praising his lifelong dedication to enriching Indian art and culture.Mishra passed away at the age of 89 due to age-related ailments at his daughter’s home in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, in the early hours of Thursday. His daughter said he breathed his last around 4 am, reported PTI.In a post on X, PM Modi said, “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. It is my good fortune that I always received his affection and blessings. PM Modi also noted that Mishra had been one of the proposers for his candidature from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat in 2014. “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!” he said.The legendary singer had been unwell for the past seven months and was previously treated at Ramkrishna Seva Ashram Hospital in Mirzapur. His health deteriorated late Wednesday night, prompting admission to a hospital where he died during treatment. Born in Azamgarh in 1936, Mishra grew up to become a doyen of Hindustani classical music, contributing immensely to forms such as Khayal, Thumri, Dadra, Chaiti, Kajri, and Bhajan. He received music training from his father, Badri Prasad Mishra, as well as Ustad Abdul Ghani Khan of the Kirana gharana, and Thakur Jaidev Singh. He was an exponent of the Banaras gharana and the Purab Ang tradition of Thumri. Mishra received several honours for his contribution to music, including the Padma Bhushan in 2010 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2020. His last rites will be performed in Varanasi at 5 pm He is survived by his son, tabla player Ramkumar Mishra, and three daughters. His wife passed away four years ago, reported PTI.
