Pandit Rajan Mishra: Colossal loss to Indian classical music

Gurnaaz Kaur

The inimitable duo of Indian classical music Pandit Rajan and Pandit Sajan Mishra took the responsibility of keeping alive the legacy of grand-uncle Bade Ramdas Ji Mishra, father Pt Hanuman Prasad Mishra and uncle Pt Gopal Prasad Mishra, even as they created their own place in the world of music. Pt Rajan Mishra breathed his last at St Stephen’s Hospital in Delhi on Sunday fighting Covid. He was 70.

Among the top Hindustani classical vocalists, the brothers began learning music at a tender age and first performed at haazri, (a musical ritual) at Sankat Mochan temple in Benaras. Rajan was 10 and Sajan five. Their music had a spiritual essence. For them, their art was an “offering to God”.

Among their proclaimed works are Bhairav Se Bhairavi Tak, Bhaktimala and Durgati Nashini Durga. Even though the Benaras gharana is known for dhrupad, dhamar, khayal, chand, prabandh, thumri, chaiti and kajri, the brothers focused on khayal and became the foremost exponents of the raga.

Having performed across the world, their first concert was in Sri Lanka in 1978. The brothers achieved much acclaim and were honoured with Padma Bhushan, Tansen Samman, Omkarnath Thakur Award, Kashi Gaurav, Yash Bharti Award, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the Gandharva National award. They were also conferred the honorary citizenship of Baltimore, US.

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