Mishras return to Odd Fellows Hall June 21

The Mishras, father and son 11th-generation sitra masters, come to Orcas Island for a return engagement at the Odd Fellows Hall

Contributed by Angie Rinjzin

From their home city of Benares, an ancient spiritual centre of traditional music and Hindu culture, the Mishras are bringing classical North Indian ragas and folk music to Orcas, gifting the audience with a fabulous performance and a spiritual experience. Join us in this rare experience in a duet of the world’s best sitarists inspiring one another to new levels of loving interplay. The Mishras will be performing at the Oddfellows Hall on June 21 at 7:30 p.m.

‘Pandit’ Shivanath Mishra and son Deobrat Mishra, master sitarists, have been sharing the magic, joy and love of Indian classical music for over fifteen years in India, Europe, Canada and the USA to critical and award winning acclaim.  Joining them on this 2009 USA tour is tabla master Mahapunya Das.

Pandit Shivnath Mishra was born into a well-known musical family in the Benares Gharana (lineage) in 1943. When he was five years old he began studying vocal music with his father Badri Prashad Mishra and his uncle and Guru Pandit Mahadev Prashad Mishra. From the age of eight and onwards he switched to sitar from vocals. In a family of great classical Indian vocalists he was the first who mastered the sitar. He plays in a singing style called “Thumri”. Only a few sitar artists can perform in this style, which is characterized by its strong emphasis on ornamentation and deep emotion.

In 1966 he received a gold medal in the All India Music Conference in Calcutta. He performed in Germany for the first time in 1979 and has since played extensively throughout Europe. His first performance in North America was in 1999, and he and his virtuoso son Deobrat have performed a North American tour every summer since.

Deobrat Mishra, son and disciple of leading Sitarist Pandit Shivnath Mishra, was born into a well-known musical family in the Benares music tradition. Following his father’s footsteps, Deobrat Mishra is one of India’s premiere and most talented young artists. He has been touring the world with his father since 1994. He performed his first concert at the age of six and played on All- India Radio at the age of eleven. In 1995, Deobrat was chosen as the best young sitarist in India by the All-India Youth Festival.

Mahapunya Das is one of the best Tabla players residing in North America. Mahapunya Das teaches tabla as well as performs internationally. His skills beautifully compliment and support the Mishras in their concerts.

The Mishras tour will help to support the newly formed Mishra School of Indian Classical Music in Nelson, BC.   The next session of classes offered will be in sitar, tabla, vocal, and harmonium and will be offered in a two month long intensive program in April and May of 2010.  Further information can be found on the school website: www.mishramusic.com.  Additionally, the Mishras support their Academy of Music in Benares, India where they keep alive the tradition of their music amongst young musicians. Every January and February, the Academy is open to international students of all ages and skill levels. These study tours to India are a cultural experience combining ashram style living and intensive music instruction in one of the worlds oldest cities. Visit: www.benaresmusicacademy.com For more information contact Michael Nisbet: 250-551-2229, mishramusic@gmail.com