About Shailendra Mishra
Bio
Shailendra Mishra, Masters in Music and Top Grade Artist of All India Radio (AIR), represents both Banaras and Farrukkhabad Gharanas of Tabla.
He has participated several times in the ‘National Programme of Music’ on AIR as well as on Doordarshan (Indian T.V. channels). He has conducted workshops as well as ‘Lecture Demonstrations’ covering various topics on music especially the Indian rhythm and related aspects of the art of tabla playing. He has accompanied stalwarts like Pt. V. G. Jog (Violin), Ustad Amjad Ali Khan (Sarod), Late Pt. Rajan Mishra and Pt. Sajan Mishra (Vocals), Vidushi N. Rajam (Violin), Pt Ulhas Kashalkar (Vocals), Parur M.S.Gopalkrishnan (Violin), Vidushi Girija Devi ji (Vocals), and a host of eminent vocalists and instrumentalists in India and abroad.
His solo performances and Jugalbandi concerts including the Carnatic percussionists have been greatly admired and applauded by critics and connoisseurs. Of late, his exploration of fusion music has turned out to be one more feather in his cap. He has worked with jazz musicians like Lewis Pragasam, Greg Lyons, and ‘Gamelan’ (group of Malaysian traditional instruments) musicians too. He has toured different places in India as well as abroad to perform and propagate the art of tabla playing. He has also served ICCR, Government of India on deputation as a faculty in the Cultural Centre, High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur where he taught this art to the people of Malaysia.
Early Life
Shailendra had a leaning towards Tabla playing from his childhood. He started his 'Taleem' in tabla at the tender age of 7. Seated behind his drums, he seems to have entered a world of his own. His whole being seemed to participate in the various aspects of rhythm, keeping the beat, reciting the bols, and indicating the pattern with immaculate ease. He plays passages effortlessly with unbelievable clarity, incredible tone modulation, and a subtle charm typical to his style. Although he was born and brought up in Kolkata his native place is Revatipur a village close to Varanasi. There was no musical connection in his lineage therefore Shailendra's intense passion for music can only be considered inborn. His early exposure to a musical environment, through regular visits to concerts and baithaks and constant encouragement from his grandfather and father, proved to be his strength. Since he started his Taleem at the early age of 7, he started performing with maestros like Pt. Shrikant Bakre, Pt. Ullas Kashalkar, Pt. V. G. Jog, and the likes at an early age too.
His education and his music went along side by side for a long time and he graduated in the science stream. After he completed his graduation, he believed that he could no longer ride in two boats and decided to devote his entire attention to music as his soul lay in it after which he did his bachelors and masters in Music. Being a true musician at heart, his inclination towards vocal music was natural and thus he also learned vocal music for a few years from Professor Pt. Arun Kumar Chatterjee.
His first guru was Pt. Arjun Rai. He learned the nuances of Benaras Gharana in detail under the guidance of Pt. Anand Gopal Bandhopadhyay and his guru Pt. Mahadeo Mishra. Then to diversify his knowledge he learned the Farrukhabad Gharana under Pt. Sameer Chatterjee and his guru Pt. Shyamal Bose.
Although you will find a subtle combination of both Benaras and Farukkhabad Gharanas in Shailendra's renderings but the final outcome always bears a deep mark of individuality. You can feel the temperament of Benaras Gharana in his renderings. The "Uthan Anga", modulations in the bayan, the style of accompaniment with the light classical style of music like Chaiti, Kajri, Thumri, etc, all fragrances of Benaras. From Farukkhabad Gharana he learned the melodious representation of 'bols' and traditional compositions.
Gurus
Notable Performances in India
Department of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports - Port Blair • West Bengal State Music Academy • Music Academy - Chennai • Hamsdwani Festival of Music • Kalarasana Festival of Music • Gunidas Sangeet Sammelan • Swami Haridas Sangeet Samaroh, Brindavan • Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal • Pt Anant Lal Memorial Society Concert • Swar Rang Festival • Mallhar Festival, ICCR • Sourang Utsav, New Delhi • RIMPA (Ravishankar Institute Of Music & Performing Arts) Festival • Sangeet Natak Academy • Bharat Bhavan Festival, Bhopal • Festival of Punjabi Academy • Jai Bharati Festival III (Guru-Shishya Ratnavali) • Temple Festival, Pushkar • Sawai Sangeet Sammelan, Pune & Delhi • Sa Ma Pa Music Festival • Sabrang Utsav • Harivallabh Sangeet Samaroh, Jalandhar • Delhi Classic Music Festival • Akashwani Sangeet Sammrlan 2011 & 2012 • Jayanti Festival, Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, New Delhi • Concerts Organised by SPICMACAY with different artists at multiple locations in India • Onam Festival
Notable Performances abroad
International Art Festival ‘Peace and Respect' to celebrate 3000th Year Anniversary Of Osh City, Kyrghyzstan - 2000 • International Festival ‘Days of Indian Culture', Turkmenistan - 2000 • High Commission of India, Dhaka, Bangladesh - 2001 • International Jazz Festival, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - 2004 • Fadjr International Music Festival, Iran - 2010 • Conducted a Lecture Demonstration organised by Malaysia Hindu Sangam, Kuala Lumpur, April - 2005 • Greentown Indian Cultural Society, Ipoh, Malayasia • Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society Festival - 2006 • Chhandayan Music Festival, USA - 2009 • Pittsburgh University, USA - 2009 • Washington DC, USA - 2009 • Boston, US - 2009 • Tour of Europe- Paris, Vienna, London - 2012 • FADJR International Music Festival, Iran - 2010