Renowned Hindustani Maestro Pandit Chhannulal Mishra Passes Away on Dussehra

In the final days of renowned Hindustani classical musician Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, the lanes of Mirzapur's Gangapur Shivala Mahant locality in India bore a heavy silence on October 9th, 2025. Mishra, who was just days away from his birthday in August, had expressed a desire to "sing a song to Ram Lalla" before his passing. Tragically, the 92-year-old Ram devotee breathed his last on Dussehra day, a fitting end for a man whose life was deeply intertwined with the Ramcharitmanas.

Mishra's physical and emotional struggles in his final years were palpable. The COVID-19 pandemic had taken a heavy toll, claiming the lives of his wife and one of his three daughters. The impact of these losses, coupled with his own bout with the virus, had left Mishra bedridden and in poor health. Despite his deteriorating condition, he found solace in the verses of the Ramcharitmanas, often staring at a passage scribbled on his bedroom door that spoke of the enlightening power of remembering one's guru.

Mishra's longing for his birthplace of Hariharpur and his adopted home of Kashi (Varanasi) was a constant refrain in his conversations. He lamented the lack of "ras" (essence) anywhere but Banaras, and even argued with his daughter over his desire for traditional Banarasi delicacies like "desi ghee ki imarti." Mishra's deep connection to his musical roots and the cultural heritage of his beloved city was a testament to the profound impact he had on the world of Hindustani classical music.