Indian classical music lost a gem on Sunday. Pandit Rajan Mishra of the Rajan-Sajan duo breathed his last in Delhi due to COVID-19 complications. The 70 years old Padma Bhushan awardee was admitted to St Stephen Hospital post developing heart complications that came with COVID-19. According to the acclaimed singer's nephew, Amit Mishra, he suffered two heart attacks.
"Pandit Rajan Mishra ji passed away at around 6.30 in Delhi's St Stephen hospital. He had Covid-19 and was admitted to the hospital. He had taken the first dose of the vaccine about 15-20 days ago. He had a heart attack in the afternoon and he had another attack at around 5.30," Amit told a media agency.
Soon after the news broke, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, offered condolence. He tweeted, "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!"
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— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 25, 2021
Lata Mangeshkar offered condolence and wrote, "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"
Mujhe abhi pata chala ki bahut guni shastriya gayak Padma Bhushan Sangeet Natak Akademi puraskar se sammanit Pandit Rajan Mishra ji Ka nidhan hua hai. Ye sunke mujhe bahut dukh hua. Ishwar unki aatma ko shanti pradan kare. Meri samvedanaayein unke pariwar ke saath hai.
— Lata Mangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata) April 25, 2021
Music composer and singer Salim Merchant wrote, "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."
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
— salim merchant (@salim_merchant) April 25, 2021
Vishal Dadlani tweeted, "The passing of Pt. Rajan Mishra ji is a loss to all of India, and all of music. Far too many stalwarts of knowledge and culture have left us of late. It's a sorely depleted world."
The passing of Pt. Rajan Mishra ji is a loss to all of India, and all of music.
Far too many stalwarts of knowledge and culture have left us of late. It's a sorely depleted world.
— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) April 25, 2021
Rajan Mishra was a renowned singer of the khayal style of Indian classical music. He was born in Varanasi in 1951. Rajan and Sajan Mishra were trained by their father, grandfather's brother, uncle and Gopal Prasad Mishra. Later, they were honoured with the Padma Bhushan award, the Sangeet Natak Akademi award and the Gandharva National award.
(Source: Twitter)