Pandit Chhannulal Mishra is one of the greatest and most gifted classical vocalists of India. Yusuf Bhandarkar

Pandit Chhannulal Mishra is one of the greatest and most gifted classical vocalists of India. He can be reckoned among the all time great vocalists to hail from the ancient city of Varanasi. He has the distinction of being a Versatile Vocalist, equally proficient in classical and light classical music such as Khayal, Dadra, Thumri, Chaiti, Kajri, Sawani, Holi and Bhajan.

Pt. Chhannulal Mishra was born on August 3, 1936. He had his first lessons of music from the late Pt. Badri Prasad Mishra, his father. Having been initiated into the nuances of music, he learnt music from Ustad Abdul Ghani Khan for a brief duration. And finally renowned musicologist, the late Padmabhushan Thakur Jaidev Singh offered to groom and train him and mould into the subtleties of Indian Classical music. This bond of the teacher and the taught, the master and the pupil was nurtured in the time honoured tradition of Guru-shishya parampara.

His vocal style has evolved with a blend of Kirana Badhat and the features of the Patiala Gharana. His Classical pieces reveal a fascinating harmony of Punjab, Purab and Gaya Styles. His elaborations are distinguished by his aesthetic approach, and his rich understanding of the literature, or Sahitya of Music.

Pt. Chhannulal Mishra has travelled extensively and has performed at numerous musical conferences and concerts both in India and abroad. He has also released many albums which include a wide variety of melodic variations, all sung in his characteristic sensuous voice.

He has won 'Shiromani Award' of Sur Singar Sansad, Bombay; Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi Award; Naushad Award of U.P. Govt; Yash Bharti Award of U.P Government and the Bihar Sangeet Shiromani Award. He was awarded the ‘Padma Vibhushan’, India's second highest civilian award, in 2020.