Sandip's Guruji - Pandit Ishwar Lal Misra

Pandit Ishwar Lal Mishra. Photo by C. de Vos © CBDV

Pandit Ishwar Lal Misrha

Pandit Ishwar Lal Misra, an eminent exponent of the Benares tabla Gharana, is a disciple of the legendary tabla maestro Pandit Anokhe Lal Misra. His style of tabla playing displays distinct tonal qualities and a great command over rhythm ('laya') which he fills with complex mathematical patterns.

His understanding of the musical emotions of both artist and public is another of his great qualities. He has played from 'Dhrupad-dhamar' to 'Khayal', from 'Thumri' to 'Dadra', from instrumental to dance and from tabla solo to 'Taal Vadya Kacheri'. He plays all these styles with great skill.

He has worked with the renowned artist from India; Pandit Ravi Shankar (with whom he toured extensively in America, Europe and on Panditji's only tour in China. He has also worked with him on recordings and projects), Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pandit Nikhil Banerjee, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pandit Jasraj, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Begam Parveen Sultana, Smt. Kishori Amonkar, and many talented and well-known young artists.

Pandit Ishwar Lal Misra has traveled extensively around the world during his long career. He has been associated for over 35 years with the prestigious Benares Hindu University. As a visiting professor he has worked in several universities of America and Europe and he has several talented disciples, including Sandip Bhattacharya, Dhananjay Misra (his talented son) and Frederic Amat, who have made and are making significant names in the music world.

Pandit Anokhe Lal Mishra

Pandit Anokhe Lal Misra (1914-1958) is a legendary tabla maestro of the last generation. He was known as the 'Samrat' (king) of 'Na Dhin Dhin Na' and 'Dhere Dhere Kite Taka' (particular tabla syllables).

Great musicians like Ustad Vilayat khan, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Pandit Jasraj remember him for his unique style of playing and there are several interesting stories about this legendary tabla maestro.

He is remembered for his simplicity, his sober humble personality and, most of all, for his tremendous 'riyaz' (intensive practice).

Pandit Anokhe Lal Mishra has been, and will continue to be, an inspiration to many tabla players from this generation, as well as future generations.

You can listen to a 45 min. tablasolo piece of Pandit Anokhelal Mishraji, master of the Benares Gharana, by following this link.* (The page will open in a new window).

A 13 min. piece of the same solo can be heard on the site of Vijaya Parrikar Library

(* Play through Real Player works the best. Explorer does not always work properly.)

Pandit Anokhe Lal Misra. Source: 'Taal Prakash' by Bhagat Sharan Sharma. Image improvement and color adjustment by C. de Vos

Related Pages ...

Links to pages in 'The Artist' section. The current page is indicated by two dots before the name.

		Sandip's background and career as a classical tabla player.
		Pt. Ishwar Lal Misra and Pt. Pandit Anokhelal Misra.
		The Benares gharana lineage.

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