India lost one of its doyens of Hindustani classical music on Sunday as the well-known singer Rajan Mishra died in the Capital due to Covid-19 complications. Admitted in St Stephen Hospital for Covid-19, he suffered two heart attacks on Sunday. The 70-year-old Pandit Rajan Mishra sang with his younger brother Pandit Sajan Mishra.
As reported in The Indian Express, according to family sources, “Pandit Rajan Mishra had been battling the coronavirus for the last four-five days. He suffered a heart attack in the morning, which worsened his health. By the time we could arrange for a ventilator, the second heart attack happened in the evening and he couldn’t survive that. He passed away around 6.30-7 pm. He had no other health issues. We are yet to accept that he is no more.”
Pandit Rajan Mishra was born in Varanasi and belonged to the Benaras style of singing. Both the brothers received their initial training from their grandfather's brother, Bade Ram Das Ji Mishra, and their father, Hanuman Prasad Mishra. Besides them, their uncle, the well-known sarangi exponent, Gopal Prasad Mishra, also taught them.
Expressing his condolences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his tweet said: “I am saddened by the death of Pandit Rajan Mishra ji, who left his indelible mark in the world of classical singing. Mishraji demise, who was associated with the Banaras Gharana, is an irreparable loss to the art and music world. My condolences to his family and fans in this hour of mourning. Om Shanti!”
Lata Mangeshkar, the veteran singer paying her tribute on Twitter said; “I came to know that the highly talented classical singer Padma Bhushan Sangeet Natak Akademi award winner Pandit Rajan Mishra ji has passed away. I am very sorry to hear this. My condolences to his family.”
Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt the well-known Mohan veena artist said, "Unbelievable shocking news…Pt. Rajan Mishra succumbed to Corona and cardiac arrest… such a big loss to the Indian classical music world… lost a true friend…may his soul rest in peace."
Composer Salim Merchant expressing his condolences said: “Heartbreaking news – Padma Bhushan Shri Rajan Mishra ji left us today. He died of Covid in Delhi . He was a renowned classical singer of the Benaras Gharana & was one half of the brother duo pandit Rajan Sajan mishra. My condolences to the Family. Om Shanti.”
The brothers have honoured with the Padma Bhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Gandharva National Awards for their singing.
The family will take a call on the last rites today.
