Pandit Chhannulal Mishra passes away, music world mourns; PM Modi expresses condolences

Pandit Chhannulal Mishra (89) suffered a heart attack last Saturday. Family members admitted him to the Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram Hospital in Ojhala, Mirzapur.

Varanasi: Renowned classical singer and Padma Vibhushan Pandit Chhannulal Mishra has passed away. He passed away at 5 am today at his Mirzapur residence.

Pandit Chhannulal Mishra (89) suffered a heart attack last Saturday. Family members admitted him to the Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram Hospital in Ojhala, Mirzapur.

Mishra had been ill for a long time. He suffered a bed sore on his back and was suffering from anemia. His daughter, Namrata Mishra, a professor at KB College, reported that doctors examined him after his heart attack and administered two units of blood. This morning, his daughter Namrata announced that her father had passed away.

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Namrata Mishra said, "He breathed his last at 4:15 am today at our residence in Ganga Darshan Colony, Mirzapur. His last rites will be performed at Manikarnika Ghat this evening."

सुप्रसिद्ध शास्त्रीय गायक पंडित छन्नूलाल मिश्र जी के निधन से अत्यंत दुख हुआ है। वे जीवनपर्यंत भारतीय कला और संस्कृति की समृद्धि के लिए समर्पित रहे। उन्होंने शास्त्रीय संगीत को जन-जन तक पहुंचाने के साथ ही भारतीय परंपरा को विश्व पटल पर प्रतिष्ठित करने में भी अपना अमूल्य योगदान… pic.twitter.com/tw8jb5iXu7

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief
PM Modi wrote on social media, "I am deeply saddened by the passing of renowned classical singer Pandit Chhannulal Mishra. He dedicated his life to the enrichment of Indian art and culture. He not only made classical music accessible to the masses but also made invaluable contributions to establishing Indian traditions on the world stage. It is my good fortune to have always received his love and blessings. In 2014, he was also my proposer for the Varanasi seat. I express my deepest condolences to his family and fans in this hour of grief. Om Shanti!"

Pandit was born on August 3, 1936, in Hariharpur village, Azamgarh district, Uttar Pradesh. He received his early musical training from his father and later pursued formal music education in Banaras.

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There, he received extensive musical training from Ustad Abdul Ghani Khan of the Kirana Gharana. Mishra was renowned for his Banaras Gharana singing, particularly Khayal and Purab Ang Thumri. His performances, characterized by soulful and melodiousness, earned him national and international acclaim. He is considered a leading exponent of Purab Ang Thumri and has released numerous music albums.

Pandit Chhannulal Mishra was honored with the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Naushad Award, and the Yash Bharati Award. The Government of India honored him with the Padma Bhushan in 2010 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2020. He was also awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship.

भारतीय शास्त्रीय संगीत के मर्मज्ञ, 'पद्म विभूषण' प्रख्यात शास्त्रीय गायक पंडित छन्नूलाल मिश्र जी का निधन अत्यंत दुःखद एवं शास्त्रीय संगीत विधा की अपूरणीय क्षति है। उन्हें विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि!

आपने अपना पूरा जीवन भारतीय शास्त्रीय गीत-संगीत के उत्थान में समर्पित कर दिया। आपका गायन…

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) October 2, 2025

On the other hand, UP CM Yogi Adityanath has also expressed his condolences.