Pandits Rajan & Sajan Mishra
Pandit Rajan Mishra (1951-2021) & Pandit Sajan Mishra grew up in Varanasi, living, breathing, and singing the essence of this deeply spiritual Indian city situated on the bank of the holy Ganges and vibrant with the tinkle of temple bells. They received initial training from their great-uncle Bade Ramdas Mishra, a vocalist, and from their father Pandit Hanuman Prasad Mishra and uncle Pandit Gopal Prasad Mishra, both eminent sarangi players.
The family’s music represents a deeply devotional tradition stretching back three centuries. Although Pandit Rajan Mishra was four years older to Pandit Sajan Mishra, they decided to debut together and perform together on stage for life. They performed their first concert at the Sankat Mochan temple in Varanasi in a ritual called haazri which literally means ‘appearance’.
The deep, brotherly and musical bond between them extended beyond stage and still remains a testimony in their families residing jointly under one roof in India. They founded Viraam, a gurukul in Uttarakhand, where the immersive style of khayal singing of the Benares gharana is taught. Pandits Rajan & Sajan Mishra have performed all over the world for more than four decades, bringing the essence of their style to global audiences.
Their association with the Darbar Festival includes a notable performance on September 17, 2016, at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London. During this event, they were accompanied by Pandit Kumar Bose on tabla and Dharam Nath Mishra on harmonium. This performance stands as a testament to their enduring legacy and their contribution to the world of Indian classical music.
The passing of Pandit Rajan Mishra in 2021 due to COVID-19 marked the end of an era, leaving an irreplaceable void in the realm of Indian classical music.
“We belong to a 300-year-old legacy of the Benaras gharana. Our music has to have the intrinsic qualities of this ancient city…We often walk along the ghats singing to the Ganga or sipping chai from a kulhad. The river has been our constant companion; with her we have shared our dreams and woes.”
Darbar believes in the power of Indian classical music to stir, thrill, and inspire. Explore our YouTube channel or subscribe to the Darbar Player to watch extended festival performances, talks, and documentaries in pristine HD and UHD quality.
