Music Of Benares

Welcome, for the first time, Music of Benares to the UK. This initimate show will be the Mishras' first ever show in the UK.

Sitar maestro Pandit Shivnath Mishra is joined by his sitar playing son Deobrat Mishra and his great nephew tabla player Prashant Mishra.

Pt Shivnath's music has won numerous awards beginning with a gold medal at the All India Music Conference in 1966 at the age of 23. As well as playing India Classical Music, Panditji has also collaborated with jazz musicians John Handy, Paul Horn, David Freezen and Ben Conrad.

Pt Shivanth Mishra began studying vocal music at the age of 5, from his father Badri Prasad Mishra and his uncle-guru Pandit Mahadev Prashad Mishra. In a family of great classical Indian vocalists he was the first one to master the sitar.

He is one of the few musicians in Contemporary India who sing inside while playing the instrument. This Benares singing style is mainly Thumri and so highly ornamental, emotional and expressive.

With two sitarists on stage this is a jugalbandi presentation of classical and folk that appeals to audiences everywhere. This is also collaboration between Guru and Shishya (disciple) and also father and son.

Deobrat has learnt sitar from his father since the age of 6 and since 1995 has toured all over the world, promoting classical sitar and fusion.

Thanking Arts Council England and to Sampad for their generous support for this event.