About A Soul of Benares
A Soul of Benares is a studio album of North Indian classical music released in 2013 under the Bihaan Music label. The recording features sitarist Shivnath Mishra, vocalist Deobrat Mishra, and tabla player Prashant Mishra, each representing the Benares gharana tradition. The album comprises three tracks that showcase traditional raga performances and semi-classical forms native to Varanasi.
Shivnath Mishra performs Raag Gorakh Kalyan in two rhythmic cycles: Rupak taal (7 beats) and Teentaal (16 beats). The composition adheres to the structural conventions of khayal while incorporating instrumental elaborations characteristic of the Benares sitar style. Deobrat Mishra presents a Dhun in Mishra Khamaj, rendered in the Banaresi Dadra form. This light-classical piece emphasizes lyrical phrasing and rhythmic flexibility, a hallmark of the region’s folk-influenced repertoire. The album concludes with Deobrat Mishra’s interpretation of Raag Bhairavi as a Thumri in Addha Taal (8 beats), exemplifying the Benarasi thumri tradition with its emotive delivery and intricate bol-banao (lyrical improvisation).
Prashant Mishra provides tabla accompaniment across all tracks, employing traditional kayda patterns and laya variations specific to the Benares baj. The album’s production preserves the acoustic intimacy of a live chamber performance, with minimal post-processing to retain the natural resonance of the instruments and vocals.
The release date for A Soul of Benares coincides with its official launch in 2013, though specific event details or additional contextual documentation remain unverified in available sources. The album serves as a documented representation of the Benares gharana’s stylistic continuity in the early 21st century.