Hiradevi Mishra

GHARANA

Benares (Thumri)

---

---

Smt. Hiradevi Mishra was a vocalist born into a musical family in Banaras, where her talent showed from childhood. In her late teens she married Pt. Kamal Mishra, the maternal uncle of Pt. Kishan Maharaj. She received intensive taleem for about eight years from Ustad Ata Khansahab of Patiala, who had also taught Begum Akhtar. After her guru's passing, she and her husband moved to Mumbai, where they faced considerable hardship. They stayed with cowherds from Banaras who kept stables in Khar and Santacruz, and as riaz was not possible in their homes, she would go to Juhu beach early in the morning to practise in full voice. She was very close to the Kathak dancers Sitara Devi and Gopi Krishna, and she and her husband accompanied them in concerts, though she preferred to sing from the wings rather than appear on stage. Out of gratitude and affection for the couple, Gopi Krishna bought them a flat in Khar with money earned on his foreign tours. Pt. Kamal Mishra was himself a gifted thumri singer, harmonium player and tabla player; he taught his wife many thumris and also taught Smt. Nirmala Devi. Although she did not receive the awards or recognition her learning and ability merited, Smt. Hiradevi Mishra performed at the Tansen Samaroh and many other important events in the country.