Rajan and Sajan Mishra</font></b> Artist Profile

Rajan-Sajan Misra Group	Profile
Rajan Misra - Vocal Sajan Misra - Vocal Rajnish Mishra - Vocal Ritesh Mishra - Vocal Kumar Bose - Tabla Kanta Prasad Mishra- Harmonium Rajan & Sajan Misra: Rajan and Sajan Misra made remarkable progress in their vocal lessons from their father Pt. Hanuman Prasad Mishra and their uncle Pt. Gopal Mishra. They were also fortunate to have learnt from "Gayanacharya" Pandit Bade Ramdas Mishra. They were blessed with melodious voices as well, and most importantly, they were able to assimilate the essence of the age-old Banaras Gharana with consummate ease. Apart from learning the magnificent compositions which have been handed down the generations, an integral part of their training was the analysis and appreciation of the music of the great masters of music, irrespective of distinctions such as gharana. The brothers were confident singers, and had developed a beautiful understanding between themselves when they sang together. Finally, it was the natural talent for singing Rajan and Sajan had that enabled their father to take the crucial decision to groom them as full-fledged vocalists, though he may never have imagined the fame and popularity that his sons would be blessed with. Since their first concert when they were in their teens, Rajan and Sajan have performed with great acclaim in almost all the cities of India and have taken part in all the major music conferences of India. Their first concert abroad, in Sri lanka in 1978, paved the way for many subsequent concert tours abroad, particularly in Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, USA, UK, The Netherlands, USSR, Singapore, Qatar and Muscat. Awards, accolades and critical acclaim have come their way often, and in many forms. Notable among them are the Sangeet Natak Academy Award (President’s Award) in 1998, the Sanskrit Award (presented by the Prime Minister of India), Sangeet Nayak (from Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh), Sangeet Ratna (Allahabad), Sangeet Bhushan (Varanasi), the Kumar Gandharva Award (1996) and the Kashi Gaurav Award (Varanasi). They received honorary citizenship for the city of Baltimore in USA. Their impressive discography catalogue, showcasing the glory of the Banaras Gharana and the unassailable mastery of Pt. Rajan and Sajan Mishra and capturing many hours of their brilliant music, is much sought after by connoisseurs and students of music alike for the richness in quality of their music. Ritesh and Rajnish Mishra: Another addition in the family of maestros with 300 years old linage of great Banaras Gharana, Ritesh & Rajnish, sons of Pt. Rajan Misra, have risen to share their genetic talent and fruits of hard training with the classical music lovers the world over. Blessed by "Ma-Saraswati" the brothers touch the heart with their melodious voice, with the word go, during their performance. Born in the sounds of Tanpura, Sarangi and Tabla with rich voices of their fore- fathers melting into their beings Ritesh(1976) & Rajnish(1979) studied at Delhi University all along their strenuous practice sessions imbibing cultural tradition and universal approach under the guidance of their father Pt. Rajan Misra, uncle Pt. Sajan Misra, grandfathers Pt. Hanuman Prasad Misra & Pt. Gopal Misra and galaxy of star musicians amongst their relatives and friends with the grand heritage of Pt. Ganesh Ji Misra, Pt. Sursahai Ji Misra and Gayanacharya Pt. Bade Ramdas Ji Misra, legends of Banaras Gharana. Ritesh and Rajnish render Khayal, Tappa, Tarana, Bhajan and other classical forms with deep Knowledge of Raag, having hundreds of rare compositions under their sleeves with accurate and soulful notes and near perfect timing. The brothers have been accompanying the Rajan-Sajan Misra groups for a number of years, and have performed their duo performances around the globe. Kumar Bose: Kumar Bose, a legendary tabla maestro and a personality of international repute, was born in a musically endowed family of Kolkata. A child prodigy, Kumar Bose received an early initiation in the art of tabla playing from his father Pt. Biswanth Bose, and later from Pt. Kanthe Maharaj. Finally he came under the tutelage of Pt. Kishen Maharaj, the living legend of Banaras Gharana. The superiority of Kumar Bose’s genius is in his ability to evolve a distinctive style of his own without diluting the sanctity of tradition in which the psyche of the audience becomes captive. He is as much facile in accompaniment with music (vocal and instruments) and dances as in his solo performances. Which is why he is much sought after both at home and abroad by the entire community of top grades artists like Pt. Ravi Shankar, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pt. Birju Maharaj, Pt. Jasraj and many others. Besides tabla, he is proficient in playing various percussion instruments including srikKhole, pakhawaj, dholak, nal, and banga-kanga. He was the assistant music director of the noted film maker Mrinal Sen’s globally acclaimed fim Genesis with music director Pt. Ravi Shankar. He has performed in over 150 recordings of CDs and cassettes released in India and abroad. Kanta Prasad Mishra: Kanta Prasad Mishra was born in an eminent family of tabla maestro, late Pt. Bundi Maharaj of Banaras Gharana. His father, late Pt. Damodar Prasad Mishra, was a legendary vocalist of Banaras Gharana. With this strong family lineage, Kanta Prasad gained knowledge of primary education in vocal and sitar from his father and thereafter continued his lessons under the traditional guidance of late Pt. Balram Pathak and sarangi maestro, lat pt. Hanuman Prasad Mishra. He settled with harmonium as his main instrument and the harmonium became a passion for Kanta Prasad. He has accompanied major artists including Pt. Rajan-Sajan Misra, Smt. Prabha Atre, Smt. Girja Devi, Smt. Subha Mudgal. He has traveled with the Rajan-Sajan Misra Group around the globe, and as part of this group, he received an honorary citizenship for the city of Baltimore in USA.