Ramesh Mishra

Ramesh Mishra (2 October 1948 – 13 March 2017) was a renowned Indian classical sarangi player. He was born in Varanasi, India, into a family of traditional sarangi musicians. From an early age, he was deeply involved in music and received training from his family members, which helped him build a strong foundation in Hindustani classical music. 

He later became a disciple of the legendary sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, which further shaped his musical style and career. Ramesh Mishra mastered the complex techniques of the sarangi and gained recognition as both a solo performer and an accompanist. His music was known for its emotional depth and ability to closely follow the nuances of vocal music (gayaki ang). 

Throughout his career, he performed widely in India and internationally. He collaborated with many great musicians and was involved in several recordings. Notably, he worked with the American rock band Aerosmith on their 1997 album Nine Lives, showing his versatility beyond classical music. 

Ramesh Mishra received several prestigious awards for his contribution to music. He was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2008, one of India’s highest recognitions in the field of performing arts. His work helped popularize the sarangi both in India and internationally. 

He passed away on 13 March 2017 in New York, United States, at the age of 68 due to cancer. Even after his death, he is remembered as one of the finest sarangi players of his time, whose music continues to inspire students and lovers of Indian classical music.