Varun Mishra

Varun Mishra is a Hindustani classical vocalist belonging to the Banaras gharana. He represents a hereditary lineage of musicians and received his training under his grandfather, Pt. Ganesh Prasad Mishra, former Vice-Chancellor of Bhatkhande University, Lucknow, and his father, Pt. Vidyadhar Mishra, former Head of the Department of Music at Allahabad University.

His repertoire includes khayal, tarana, tappa, thumri, dadra, chaiti, kajri, and bhajan, reflecting the stylistic breadth associated with the Banaras tradition.

Musical Lineage

Varun Mishra comes from a family of established musicians within the Banaras gharana. His lineage includes:

• Birju Maharaj
• Rajan Sajan Mishra
• Chhannulal Mishra
• Girija Devi

He is also part of a musical lineage connected to earlier figures such as Pt. Bade Ramdas Mishra and Pt. Anokhe Lal Mishra.

Training and Repertoire

His training under Pt. Ganesh Prasad Mishra and Pt. Vidyadhar Mishra follows the guru–shishya parampara. His performances incorporate both classical khayal presentations and semi-classical forms such as thumri and dadra, along with seasonal and regional genres like chaiti and kajri.

Performance Career

Varun Mishra has performed at major festivals and venues across India, including:

• Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh, Varanasi
• Lucknow Mahotsav
• Taj Mahotsav, Agra
• Ganga Mahotsav, Varanasi
• Swami Haridas Sangeet Sammelan, Mumbai
• India Habitat Centre
• ICCR events
• Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal

He frequently performs alongside his elder brother, Rishi Mishra, in concert settings.

International Performances

His international concert appearances include:

• Nehru Centre
• Watermans Theatre, London
• Performances and workshops in Washington, D.C., USA
• Concerts in Thailand, Singapore, and Sri Lanka

He has also conducted workshops on Hindustani classical music, focusing on the Banaras gharana tradition.

Teaching and Institutional Work

Varun Mishra has been teaching music since 2009 and runs a music academy in Lucknow named OMKAR (Pt. Ganesh Prasad Mishra Music Academy). The academy offers both offline and online training to students in India and abroad.

He is an empanelled artist with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and holds a “B High” grade with All India Radio and Doordarshan.

Awards and Recognition

His recognitions include:

• Honoured by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
• Leading Youth Singer Award by Prayag Sangeet Samiti
• Awards from the Governors of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh
• Indradhanush Samman (Prayagraj)
• Vagdhara Samman presented at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai
• Recognition from Sangeet Natak Akademi
• Honours at Guru Purnima festivals and cultural institutions in India and abroad