Pandit Shivanath Mishra born in Varanasi on l2th October, 1943 in a well known Musician family known as Benaras Gharana. He began to learn vocal music in the age of five from his uncle Pt. Mahadev Prasad Mishra (The Great singer of Indian Classical Music and Benaras Thumri).

In the age of eight years he began to learn Sitar also from his uncle Pt. Mahadev Prasad Mishra. He had done a lot of hard practice starting a a very young age. He played in many concerts while young and got the blessings of old Artists and appreciation of audience. He used to practice eight to ten hours daily. His practice is same today also. In his playing, Benaras singing style especially Thumri is effective and his Reedum part is very strong which sound very nice together with Tabla players.

1966-67 he got first position in All India competition of Music in Allahabad. He won gold medal of all India Music Conference of Calcutta in 1967. He has been praised therefore for his technique. Main feature of this program was that two Tabla players were playing with his Sitar Recital. He has played in Sangeet Natak Academy in 1993. He has played many times in Ganga Mahotsav Cultural Programme organised by U.P Government.

He has given many successful programmes in Calcutta, Bombay, Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, Gaya, Lucknow and in Nepal also.

He has played Sitar with great Master Padmabhushan Late Pt. Shamta Prasad, Padmashri Pt. Kishan Maharaj, Late Pt. Nanhku Maharaj, Pt. Lachhu Maharaj (Tabla Players) and also Sarod player Ashish Khan. He is a prominent 'A' class Artist in All India Radio and TV. He has shown his art in many Indian movies also. Some music companies abroad have recorded his beautiful music which are as follows.

LPs. :
a). Recorded in 1981 by HMF record company, Achen,
West Germany. Record no. amf-F 101 .
b). Recorded in 1986 by HMF Record Compony, Achen,
West Germany. Record no. amf-F 105.
c). Recorded in 1986 by HMF Record Company, Achen,
West Germany. Record no. amf-F 103.

Some CDs are available in European Music Market. Which are follows :
a). Recorded in 1989 by Hammer Music Labe[, Achen, Germany.
CD no. BLD 517
b). Recorded in 1991 by Hammer Music Label, Achen, Germany.
CD no. BLD 518
c). Recorded in 1996 by Sorf Music, Germany. CD No. Sorf 0896.
d). Recorded in 1998 by Sorf Music, Germany. CD No. Sorf 0897.

He has played many successful programs of Indian Classical Music in Europe among which in Germany, Italy, France, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Japan, Canada, Israel, Luxembourg etc.

He has given programmes on BBC TV, German Radio & TV & Austrian Radio. He has played in the Condolence Meeting of Late Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Ghandhi, held at the Indian Embassy in Boon, Germany at the occasion of assassination of Mrs. Ghandhi. He has been playing Sitar in Europe since 1979. He has played many times at jazz concerts with European Artists. He has given duet programmes with many World Artists among which John Handy, Paul Horne, David Freezen; Charl Marino, are in memory. He has played in many organizations which are promoting World and Indian Classical Music.

He is associated with a Musical Group in Germany called MUSIC ENSEMBLE OF BENARES. He is the founder member of that association.
Recently he formed a new group called "Music of Benares" in Europe.

Presently Pt. Shivanth Mishra is a lecturer of Sitar and Head of Music Department in Sampurnand Sanskrit University, Varanasi.

You may contact Pandit Mishra at:  mishramusic@hotmail.com

Click HERE to listen to a sitar duo in Raag Malkauns played by Pandit Mishra and his son Deobrat Mishra.

There are several good sound clips at the Music of Benares website....ENJOY!!

Also here is a nice article by Sarah E. Truman about her experience with Pandit Mishra and his son Deobrat.