Ramnarayan Misra

🪔 About

Pandit Ramnarayan Misra was a renowned Kathak guru and a significant figure in the lineage of Indian classical dance, particularly associated with the Lucknow Gharana. Born in 1911, he received his training from some of the greatest Kathak artists of his generation, including Pt. Achan Maharaj, Pt. Lachu Maharaj, and Pt. Shambhu Maharaj. He was known for his mastery of both the graceful and sensual elements of the Lucknow Gharana, as well as the dynamic and powerful rhythms and movements of the Jaipur Gharana. Misra's career saw him teaching in various settings in Kolkata (then Calcutta). He initially made his living by teaching courtesans in the Bowbazar area. His entry into broader Calcutta society was facilitated by Prohlad Das, the father of his prominent disciple Pandit Chitresh Das, who helped him secure teaching positions at key dance institutions such as the Birla Academy, Sangeet Shyamala, and Nritya Bharati. He was a devoted educator whose teaching methods were rooted in the traditional Guru-Shishya Parampara, ensuring his students received a holistic and profound education in Kathak. He adapted his teaching to suit individual students, considering their body types, movement styles, sex, and social status. Pandit Ramnarayan Misra passed away in 1972.