Padma Vibhushan awardee and legendary semi-classical singer Pandit Chhannulal Mishra passed away in the early hours of Thursday, October 2. He breathed his last around 4:30 am at his residence in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. He was 89 years old.
His final rites will be performed in Kashi, and preparations are underway to bring his mortal remains to Varanasi. According to several media reports, his younger daughter, Dr. Namrata Mishra, stated that Pandit Mishra’s health worsened late on Wednesday night. He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead by doctors around 4:30 am.
His only son, tabla maestro Pandit Ramkumar Mishra, left Delhi for Varanasi by road, as he could not get a flight ticket immediately. He is expected to reach the city by Thursday evening.
Pandit Mishra, regarded as the last prominent semi-classical singer in the league of Girija Devi, had been battling multiple health issues over the past few months. On September 11, his condition deteriorated significantly. A 15-member medical team from Mirzapur Medical College began treating him at his residence in the Mahant Shiwala area.
His blood sugar levels had spiked, and his hemoglobin dropped to a dangerously low level. Despite intensive medical treatment, including blood transfusions at Ramakrishna Mission Hospital in Mirzapur, his health continued to decline.
On September 12, doctors confirmed his hemoglobin had dropped to 7.6, causing severe pain and other complications. He was later referred to Sir Sunderlal Hospital at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), where doctors initially suspected a heart attack. However, tests ruled this out.
Pandit Mishra was diagnosed with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, a serious lung condition, and was placed on non-invasive ventilator support. He also suffered from Type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and prostate enlargement. Prolonged illness had caused bedsores that led to septicemia (blood infection).
Doctors at BHU advised his family on September 15 to take him home when his condition failed to improve. Pandit Mishra had earlier expressed that he did not want to be placed on a ventilator, and his family honored his wishes.
After 13 days of treatment at BHU, he was discharged on September 26 and taken back to Mirzapur in an ambulance by his daughter.
Pandit Chhannulal Mishra was a legendary Indian classical and semi-classical vocalist from the Banaras (Varanasi) gharana. He was celebrated for his command over khayal, thumri, dadra, chaiti, kajri, and bhajan singing.
Born in 1936 in Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh, he later settled in Varanasi. Pandit Mishra was known not only for his powerful and emotive renditions but also for preserving traditional Banarasi folk-based forms like Hori and Chaiti.
He performed extensively across India and abroad, enchanting audiences with his soulful music.
In recognition of his immense contribution to Indian classical music, he was conferred with some of the nation’s highest civilian honors, including the Padma Bhushan in 2010 and the prestigious Padma Vibhushan in 2019.
His legacy as a torchbearer of semi-classical music will continue to inspire generations to come.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/pandit-chhannulal-mishra-dies-at-89-in-mirzapur-legendary-singer-had-asked-family-not-to-place-him-on-ventilator