Renowned classical singer Pandit Channulal Mishra says the Padma Bhushan honour has come “too late”, lamenting that many of his junior musicians have received the award much earlier.
“It (Padma Bhushan) is not a recognition of my work as it is too late and too little but still you feel better, when you get something from the society and the government,” the 73-year-old musician told PTI.
“Ilahi Koi Tamanna Nahin Jamane Se, Maine Sari Umra Gujari Hai Apne Gane Mein (I do not expect anything from the society as I have spent my entire life in only singing),” he added.
Born on 3rd August 1936 in Hariharpur village of Azamgarh district of eastern UP and a disciple of Ustad Abdul Gani Khan, Pandit Channulal Mishra is a noted exponent of the Kirana Gharana of Indian classical music.
“I never expected that I will be conferred with this award, so I never felt bad, but my students and fellow junior musicians have received this award much earlier,” the musician said.
Pandit Channulal Mishra’s name was announced in the list Padma Bhushan recipients on the occasion of the 60th Republic Day on Tuesday.
Son of Pandit Badri Prasad Mishra, the musician started his education from his father at the age of eight. He later learnt ‘Thumari’ and ‘Khayal’ from Pandit Thakur Jaidev Singh and then joined Ustad Abdul Gani Khan of Kirana Gharana.
The family members of Pandit Channulal are also upset and feel that the vocalist should have got the recognition much earlier.
Roopa Mishra, the daughter of the musician, said, “My father should have been bestowed upon at least the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award of the country.”
Other musicians from Varanasi, who have been honoured, include Shehnai player Ustad Bismillah Khan and Tabla player Kishan Maharaj, who were conferred Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan respectively.
