Mahapurush Misra

Pandit Mahapurush Mishra (1932–1987) was a tabla player of the Banaras gharana and a distinguished disciple of Pandit Anokhelal Mishra. He was widely known as a longtime accompanist to Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, with whom he performed for nearly three decades.

He also accompanied leading musicians, including Pandit Nikhil Banerjee, and contributed to numerous classical music concerts. Mahapurush Mishra served as a professor at the Ali Akbar College of Music in Kolkata and spent time in the United States during the late 1960s, where he taught, performed, and recorded.

He appeared on recordings such as The Beatles’ “The Inner Light” and George Harrison’s “Wonderwall Music.” While few solo recordings are in circulation, archival performances such as “Tabla Solo in Jhap Taal (1985)” and “Indian Drums (1966)” are noted.