In a profound loss to the world of Hindustani Classical Music, Pandit Channulal Mishra, the celebrated vocalist and exponent of the Banaras gharana, passed away at the age of 89 due to age-related ailments. He breathed his last in the early hours of Thursday at his daughter's home in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, around 4 AM, as confirmed by his daughter Namrata Mishra. Mishra had been admitted to the hospital for the past 17-18 days battling health issues associated with old age, before being brought home where he peacefully departed. His last rites are scheduled to be performed in Varanasi at 5 PM, a city deeply intertwined with his musical legacy.

Born on August 3, 1936, in the village of Hariharpur in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh district, Mishra hailed from a family steeped in musical tradition. He was the son of Badri Prasad Mishra, from whom he received his initial training in classical music. Mishra further honed his skills under the guidance of Ustad Abdul Ghani Khan of the Kirana gharana and later Thakur Jaidev Singh, blending influences that shaped his unique style. This early foundation laid the groundwork for a career that would span over six decades, making him a revered figure in Indian classical arts.

Mishra's illustrious career, active since the 1960s, was marked by his mastery of Khayal and the 'Purab Ang' style of Thumri, earning him acclaim as a versatile artist from Banaras. He released numerous albums that captured the essence of devotional and classical genres, including notable works like "Ramcharitmanas," "Kabir," "Krishna Madhav," and "Shiv Vivah," which featured renditions from Tulsidas's epic in various ragas. Beyond performances, Mishra gained additional prominence as one of the proposers for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nomination in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Varanasi, highlighting his cultural stature in the region.

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Throughout his lifetime, Mishra was honored with prestigious awards that recognized his contributions to music. These include the Shiromani Award from Sur Singar Sansad, the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Naushad Award, the Yash Bharti Award, and the Bihar Sangeet Shiromani Award. He was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2010 and elevated to the Padma Vibhushan in 2020, India's second-highest civilian honor, along with the Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowship.

Mishra is survived by his son, tabla player Ramkumar Mishra, and three daughters, including Namrata. He was also the son-in-law of the late Pt. Anokhelal Mishra, further embedding him in a lineage of musical excellence. His passing marks the end of an era, but his melodies continue to resonate, inspiring future generations of artists.

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