Yatindra Mishra
Yatindra Mishra (यतीन्द्र मिश्र) (12 April 1977, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India) is an Indian poet, editor, music and cinema scholar, who hails from the lineage of the Ayodhya Royal Family.
Notable work collections
He has four collections of Hindi poetry to his credit- Yada-Kada (1997), Ayodhya Tatha Anya Kavitayen (1999), Dyorhi Par Aalaap (2005) and Vibhas (2013). He has also written Girija (2001), Devpriya (2007) and Sur Ki Baradari (2009) about the life and work of thumri singer Girija Devi, danseuse Sonal Mansingh and shehnai maestro Bismillah Khan. An essay compilation on music & arts Vismaya Ka Bhakhan (2012). Yatindra has edited selections from the poetry of Ajneya-Jitna Tumhara Sach Hai (2011), Prose of Ashok Vajpeyee-Kis Bhugol Mein Kis Sapne Mein (2011) and Poetry Hum Apna Vasant Pahchante Hain (2014), Poetry of Gulzar Yaar Julaahe (2009). He has also presented a selection of Gulzar's film lyrics-Meelon Se Din (2010). He has also written a book about hundred years of Hindi Cinema which deals about the authentic analysis of cinema's musical journey titled Humsafar (2013). Recently he has published an in-depth analysis of the musical journey of the great playback singer Lata Mangeshkar based on a series of interview spanning over a period of seven years titled Lata : Sur-Gatha (2016). He has also edited veteran Hindi literature Kunwar Narayan's works- Kunwar Narain : Samsaar & Upasthiti (2002), Kai Samayon Mein (2012) & Dishaon Ka Khula Aakash (2012). His publication ‘Bhairavi’ (2012) is a recreation of Kannada saiva poet Akka Mahadevi’s vacanas in Hindi. Translations of his writing ‘Girija’ and 'Vibhas' (English), Ayodhya series of poems (German), ‘Yaar Julahey’ and 'Meelon Se Din' (Urdu) have been well received. He has edited arts and culture magazines like 'Sahit' and ‘Thatee’. He is also an editor of Music Journal 'Swar Mudra', a magazine of Raza Foundation, New Delhi. He has compiled a special supplement about the music of Lata Mangeshkar for Tehelka Magazine in September, 2011 in connection with her 83rd birthday. Recipient of Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Academy Award (2008), Raza Award (2007), Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad Yuva Puraskar (2006), Hemant Smriti Kavita Puraskaar (2005), Bharat Bhushan Agrawal Smriti Puraskaar (2004), Rajiv Gandhi Rashtreeya Ektaa Puraskaar (2004), Parampara Rituraj Samman (1999), Junior Fellowship of the Department of Culture, Government of India (2003–05), Independent Fellowship from Sarai, CSDS, New Delhi (2006–07) and Bharatiya Janapitha fellowship (2015). Yatindra has traveled to the U.S., Britain, Mauritius and Abu Dhabi to participate in various cultural symposium. Article based on the life and music of the late shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan is included in the textbook for Std.X by NCERT, Delhi the apex body for institutional education in India (since 2007) and also included in curriculum of 10th standard of Bihar Board of Education (since 2010). Found Vimla Devi Foundation to promote literature and the arts(since 1999). Nominated as an advisor to D.D. Bharati Channel, Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan, New Delhi (2014–15, 2015–16) and also advisor to the 1. Hindi World Service (2015–16). He lives in Ayodhya.
Published works (in chronological order)
Poetry Yada-Kada, 1997 (Kitabghar Prakashan, New Delhi) Ayodhya Tatha Anya Kavitayein, 1999 (Kitabghar Prakashan, New Delhi) Second edition 2006 (Vani Prakashan, New Delhi) Dyorhi Par Aalaap, 2005 (Rajkamal Prakashan, New Delhi) Vibhas, 2013 (Vani Prakashan, New Delhi) The Last Weave, 2014 (English Translation of Vibhas by : Nirupama Dutt) (Vani Prakashan, New Delhi) Critique Girija, 2001 (the music of thumri Singer Girija Devi) (Vani Prakashan, New Delhi) Girija : A Journey Through Thumri, 2005 (English Tr : Madhu B. Joshi, Rupa & Company, New Delhi) Devpriya, 2007 (the dance and mind of danseuse Sonal Mansingh) (Vani Prakashan, New Delhi) Sur Ki Baradari, 2009 (The life & times of Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan) (Yatra Books, an imprint of Penguin India) Vismaya Ka Bakhan, 2012 (Notes and essays on the music and the Arts) (Vani Prakashan, New Delhi) HumSafar : Hindi Cinema Aur Sangeet, 2013 (Analysis of the Musical journey of Hindi Cinema in a Century) (Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi) Lata : Sur-Gatha, 2016 (Musical Journey of Lata Mangeshkar) (Vani Prakashan, New Delhi) Translation Bhairavi : Akka Mahadevi Ki Kavitayein, 2012 (Translation of the Vachana's of lingayat shaiva Kannada poetess Akka Mahadevi ) (Vani Prakashan, New Delhi) Editor/Compiler Kunwar Narain : Samsaar & Upasthiti (Vol. 1&2) 2002 (The writings and thought of veteran Hindi poet Kunwar Narain) (Vani Prakashan, New Delhi) Yaar Julaahe : Gulzar, 2009 (A compilation of representative poems of poet, lyricist Gulzar) (Vani Prakashan, New Delhi) Yaar Julaahe : Gulzar, 2009 (Urdu Tr. Sheen Kaaf Nizam, Vani Prakashan, New Delhi) Meelon Se Din : Gulzar, 2010 (A compilation of representative Songs of lyricist Gulzar) (Rupa & Company, New Delhi) Meelon Se Din : Gulzar, 2014 (Urdu Tr. Farzana Rizvi, Jasim Publication, Lahore, Pakistan) Kis Bhugol Mein Kis Sapne Mein : Ashok Vajpayee, 2011 (A compilation of representative prose of poet Ashok Vajpayee) (Vani Prakashan, New Delhi) Jitna Tumhara Sach Hai : Ajneya, 2011 (A compilation of representative 100 poems of legendary poet Ajneya at his Birth-Centenary ) (Vani Prakashan, New Delhi) Dishaon Ka Khula Aakash : Kunwar Narain, 2012 (A compilation of Notes and Diary of eminent Hindi poet Kunwar Narain) (Vani Prakashan, New Delhi) Hum Apna Vasant Pehchante Hain : Ashok Vajpayee, 2014 (A compilation of representative poems of Ashok Vajpayee) (Sahitya Bhandar, Allahabad) Magazine Sahit : Sahitya tatha anya kalaaein (bi-annual) since 1999 Thaati : SPIC-MACAY(Annual) (focussed on the cultural heritage of U.P. and Uttaranchal), 2001-2002 Sakshi : Ayodhya Ki Sangeet Parampara, 2012 (Ayodhya Shodh Sansthan, Department of Culture, Uttar Pradesh) Swar Mudra : Magazine based on Indian Classical Music & Dance, Raza Foundation, New Delhi (Executive Editor : Ashok Vajpayee, Editor : Yatindra Mishra & Prerana Shrimali) Co-Editor Dwijdeo Granthavali, 2000 (Writings of the last ritikalin brijbhasha poet Dwijdeo) Ed. Vidyaniwas Mishra (Prabhat Prakashan, New Delhi) Kai Samayon Mein : Kunwar Narain, 2012 (A compilation of representative works of eminent Hindi poet Kunwar Narain) (Co-edited with poet Dinesh Kumar Shukla) (Bharatiya Jnanpith, New Delhi)
Translated works
Ayodhya series poems, translated into German by Prof. Hans Harder, published in Berlin, 2002. The Music Cult of Awadh, Translated into English By the Author, Published in Think India Quarterly, January–March, 2003. A Blessed Life : Bismillah Khan in dialogue, Translated into English by Ira Pande, Published in IIC Quarterly, 2006. The Bai and the Dawn of Hindi Film Music (1925–1945), Translated into English By Anamika & Madhu B. Joshi, Published in The Book Review, February, 2009 and Beyond Borders : The SAARC Journal, 2012. . Hundred Years of Cinema : Interface of Literature and Hindi Cinema, Translated into English By Madhu B. Joshi, Published in Think India Quarterly, April–June. 2012. Some Notes on Girija Devi : The Reigning Queen of Thumri, Translated into English By Madhu B. Joshi, Published in Otherwise Magazine. Poems, Translated into English by Madhu B. Joshi, Published in IIC Quarterly, The Little Magazine and Indian Literature.
Other publication
Essays on literature and the arts, poems, reviews, critiques of classical music and cinema published in leading Hindi magazines and journals. Essays and articles on Indian literature, arts. and culture published in important anthologies : Paav Bhar Zeerey Mein Brahmbhoj (ed. Ashok Vajpayee); Kalpana: Kaashi Ank (ed. Prayag Shukla); Sansaar Mein Nirmal Verma (ed. Gagan Gill); Kalaayein Aas-paas (ed. Vinod Bharadwaj); Amritputra : Vidyaniwas Mishra (ed. Kumud Sharma), Tat Par Hoon Par Tatasth Nahin : Kunwar Narain (ed. Vinod Bharadwaj), Akath (Ed. Manish Pushkale), Collage : Ashok Vajpayee (Ed. Purushottam Agarwal), Understanding Raza (Ed. Ashok Vajpayee), Jagah : Ashok Vajpayee (Ed. Piyush Daiya). Poems included in some prestigious anthologies of Indian poetry : Dus Baras (Ed. Asad Zaidi/ Pub: SAHMAT); Kavita Nadi (Ed. Prayag Shukla/Pub: Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtreeya Hindi Vishvavidyalaya); Prem Ke Roopak, Aadhunik Hindi Prem Kavitaayein (Ed. Madan Soni, Ashok Vajpayee/ Pub : Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtreeya Hindi Vishvavidyalaya) Urvar Pradesh (Ed. Anvita Abbi/Pub : Bharat Bhushan Agrawal Smriti Trust), Aadhunik Bhartiya Kavita Sanchayan 1950-2010 (Ed. Vishvanath Prasad Tiwari, Co. Ed. Rewati Raman/Pub : Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi), India In Verse (Ed. Antara Dev Sen/Pub : The Little Magazine) .
Awards and Fellowships
Parampara Rituraj Samman,1999, New Delhi Junior Fellowship in Music, 2003-05 (Department of Culture, Government of India, New Delhi with the Collaboration of National Sangeet Natak Akademi) Rajiv Gandhi Rashtreeya Ekta Puraskar, 2004, New Delhi Bharat Bhushan Agrawal Smriti Puraskar, 2005, New Delhi Hemant Smriti Kavita Puraskar, 2005, Mumbai Bharateeya Bhasha Parishad Yuva Puraskar, 2006, Kolkata Independent Fellowship for Study on Ayodhya, (SARAI, CSDS), 2006–07, New Delhi Raza Foundation Award, Raza Foundation, 2007, New Delhi Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, 2008, Lucknow (Department of Culture, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Awarded for the Year - 2008, Felicitated in 2016) Jananpitha Fellowship, (Bhartiya Jananpitha), 2015, New Delhi
Readings in India
Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi N.C.P.A. Tata Theatre, Mumbai Sahitya Academy, New Delhi Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi National School of Drama, New Delhi Aaj Tak Sahitya Utsav, New Delhi Jaipur Literature Festival, Jaipur Bangalore Literature Festival, Bengaluru Patna Literature Festival, Patna Lucknow Literature Festival, Lucknow Patna Kalam, Patna Jaipur Kalam, Jaipur Raipur Kalam, Raipur Gramophone Club of India, Ahmedabad Baaza Gaaza Music Festival, Pune Baaza Gaaza Music Conclave, Varanasi Doon Readings, Doon Library, Dehradun Wajid Ali Shah Festival, Lucknow SanatKada Festival, Lucknow An Authors Afternoon, Prabha Khetan Foundation, Kolkata Doordarshan, Prasar Bharati, New Delhi A.I.R., Prasar Bharti, New Delhi Vividh Bharati, Mumbai Raza Foundation Camp, New Delhi Raza Foundation Camp, Uttarayan, Vadodara Yuva 2016, Raza Foundation, New Delhi University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad Sirifort Auditorium, New Delhi FICCI Auditorium, New Delhi Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Wardha Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi India Habitat Center, New Delhi India International Center, New Delhi Eyefax Art Gallery, New Delhi Academy of Fine Arts & Literature, New Delhi World Book Fair, New Delhi Sri Venketeshwara College, Delhi University, New Delhi Film & Television Institute of India, Pune Asiatic Society, Kolkata Bhartiya Bhasha Parishad, Kolkata Bara Bazar Kumarsabha Library, Kolkata Bihar Sangeet Natak Academy, Patna Lokmat Bhawan, Nagpur Hindi Prachar Samiti, Nagpur Crossword, Jaipur Oxford Book Store, New Delhi Bharat Bhawan, Bhopal Doordarshan, Prasar Bharti, Bhopal Madhaya Pradesh Hindi Prachar Samiti, Bhopal Poetry reading at Sutradhar, Indore Kalidas Academy, Ujjain Rashtriya Lalit Kala Kendra, Lucknow Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan, Lucknow Rai Umanath Bali Auditorium, Lucknow Doordarshan, Prasar Bharti, Lucknow Nagri Natak Mandal, Varanasi Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeetha, Varanasi Hindustani Academy, Allahabad Seminars Oraganised by Sahitya Academy in Various Cities, viz..... Agartala, Kolkata, Dehradun, Jodhpur, Bhopal, Varanasi, Gorakhpur & Lucknow
Readings abroad
England, 1999 (to read poems at the Sixth World Hindi Conference) Mauritius, 2000 (to participate in clloquium on Ayodhya organized by Mahatma Gandhi Institute) England, 2003 (to read poems at India House, London; Geetanjali Multilingual Literary Community, Birmingham and B.B.C. London) USA, 2003 (to read poems at the Jaiprakash Narayan Centenary celebrations organized by Bharateeya Vidya Bhavan) Abu Dhabi, 2009 (to deliver lecture on Hindi Film Music in the seminar Islamicate Cultures of Bombay Cinema organised by New York Institute, Abu Dhabi)
Position held
Advisor (Selected) B.B.C. World Hindi Services, New Delhi, from March, 2015 Advisor (Selected) Taj Colloquium (an initiative to spread the literary and cultural ethos of Indian society through various activities), New Delhi, from March, 2016 Advisor (Nominated) D.D. Bharati Channel, Prasar Bharati, Under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, New Delhi from May, 2014-April, 2015 and for the second term from May, 2015-April, 2016. Member (Nominated) Expert committee for the Scheme 'Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India' Under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New Delhi from 2014-16. Member (Nominated) Executive Committee, Ayodhya Shodh Sansthan, A Government Organisation Under the Department of Culture, Uttar Pradesh for two consecutive terms, from August, 2012–2015, (First term) and September, 2015 till now (Second term) Member : Syllabus Committee, Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University, Wardha, Maharashtra, 2012 Member Trustee : 'Sonchirraiya Trust' (A Trust For Promotion Of Folk Arts), Lucknow, From 2010 Founder Trustee & Secretary : Vimla Devi Foundation Nyas, Ayodhya (A Trust For The Promotion Of Music, Literature & Arts), From December, 1999
Works At Prasar Bharati
Being a part of Doordarshan Kendra, New Delhi as an Advisor to D.D. Bharati Channel (May, 2014- April, 2015), launched four new series for the talecast on D.D. Bharati. They are—
Remembering Legends: Curation based series featuring archival performance of some of the highly renowned maestros of Hindustani Classical Music. This series features only those artists who are considered all-time great and are no longer with us. The series had episodes on— Ustad Amir Khan, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Pt. Basavraj Rajguru,Gangubai Hangal, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pt. Vasantrao Deshpande, Ustad Ahmad Jaan Thirakawa, Ustad Nisar Hussain Khan, Shobha Gurtu, Zaheeruddin & Faizuddin Dagar and Naina Devi.
Jewels of Hindustani Classical Music: Curation based series featuring archival performances of some of the senior contemporary artists of Hindustani Classical Music. This series has episodes on Pandita Kishori Amonkar, Pt. Jasraj, Begum Parveen Sultana, Pt. Ramnarayan and Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan.
Gunijan: Interview based series, which consists of a discourseful enriching dialogue with Classical Musicians, Art Historians, Writers and Art Critics. The show is a fresh production and is of duration of one hour conversation with the fellow guest. The episodes highlights are— Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma, Ashok Vajpayee, Pran Nevile, Shovana Narayan, Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Shubha Mudgal, Sharad Dutt, Manju Mehta & A.N. Sharma. Mangal Chowk : A series showcasing the light, folk and Sufi music. It is a curation based programme of the some of the renowned folk singers as well as Sufi performers. It has episodes on Vindhyavasini Devi, Allah Jilai Bai, Shankar Shambhu Qawwal, Habib Painter Qawwal, Reshma, Manna Dey, Wadali Brothers, Ustad Ahmad & Mohammad Hussain, Teejan Bai, Niyaji Brothers Qawwal, Ustad Ameen Sabri & Brothers, Vani Jairam, Prahlad Singh Tipaniya and Pankaj Udhas.
Several special shows are also made for the telecast on different occasions— The Exalted Portals of Thumri (Selection of Thumri by Begum Akhtar, Naina Devi and Girija Devi), Ghan Garje (A selection of Mansoon theme performance by Pt. Kumar Gandharva and Shobha Gurtu), Maihar Gharana (Featuring Pt. Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Sharanrani Bakhliwal and Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, signature performers of the Maihar Gharana), Akhtari Ki Mehfil Mein Kaifi (Begum Akhtar Centenary Celebration presentation, a rare telecast which shows an inter dialogue between singer Begum Akhtar and poet lyricist Kaifi Azmi), Abeer-Gulal (A special Holi Programme which includes Ustad Aslam Sabri & Party, Thumri Singar Savita Devi & Playback singer Asha Bhonsle). Lectures 'Lalit Kala Evam Sahitya Ke Antarsambandh' Lecture at Rashtriya Lalit Kala Kendra, Lucknow, 2004 Lecture on 'Ustad Amir Khan' at NCPA, Tata Theatre, Mumbai, 2005 Knowledge Series Lecture on 'Journey of Hindi Film Music' at Lokmat Samachar Bhawan with the Collaboration of Raisoni Group, Nagpur, 2008 Lecture on 'Kothon Ke Sangeet Ka Arambhik Film Sangeet Par Prabhav' at Film Music Seminar, Film & Television Institute of India, Pune, 2008 Lecture on 'Hindi Film Music : Its Styles And Thematic Concerns' at Golden Jubilee celebration of Federation Of Film Societies Of India, New Delhi, 2009 Two lectures– 'Bhaktikal Aur Sangeet Ka Antarsambandh' and 'Kalayein' was held in Hyderabad University, 2010 Lecture on Ajaneya's Poetry titled 'Ajaneya : Maun Ka Aalok' at poet's Birth Centenary Celebration at Sahitya Academy with the Collaboration of Raza Foundation, New Delhi, 2011 Lecture on 'Sangeet Ki Duniya' at Jaipur Literature Festival, Jaipur, 2012 Lecture on 'Ustad Bismillah Khan' at Reflections Art Gallery, Indore, 2012 Music Appreciation Promotion (MAP Lecture) on 'Ustad Bismillah Khan : The Poetry of Shehnai' at India International Centre, New Delhi, 2013 'Appreciation of Hindustani Classical Music' Lecture at Bihar Sangeet Natak Akademi, Patna, 2013 Pt. Hazari Prasad Diwedi Memorial lecture on 'Sahitya Aur Kalaon Ki Maitri' at Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi, 2014 Lecture on 'Kahe Kabeera : Wisdom of Kabir' at Jaipur Literature Festival, Jaipur, 2014 Lecture on 'Musical Intricacy of Paakeezah (Film)' at SanatKada Festival, Lucknow, 2015 Other Achievements Founded Vimla Devi Foundation to promote literature and the arts,1999. Started “Ishwar Allah Tero Naam”, an annual festival of performing arts to highlight the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb of India, 2006. Interface with the late shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan is included in the textbook for Std.VIII by SCERT, Delhi the apex body for institutional education in Delhi state (since 2004). Article based on the life and music of the late shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan is included in the textbook for Std.X by NCERT, Delhi the apex body for institutional education in India (since 2007) and also included in curriculum of 10th standard of Bihar Board of Education (since 2010). A musical drama based on 'Sur ki Baradari' (Life and times of Ustad Bismillah Khan) has been performed in Raipur (Chhattisgarh) in November, 2016 by 'Rang Shrinkhla Natya Manch'. It was conceived, edited and directed by eminent theatre artist Hira Manikpuri. Nowadays he is involved in various promotional events for 'Lata : Sur-Gatha'. They include book readings, interviews, talks, Panel Discussions, book signing and appearances all over the country. The major ones are - Talk at the Oxford Book Store : New Delhi, Dialogue at Aaj Tak Sahitya Utsav : New Delhi, Discussion at Lucknow Literature Festival : Lucknow, Interview with Yunus Khan at Vividh Bharati : Mumbai, Interview with Sajeev Sarathi 'Ek Mulaqat Zaruri Hai' : New Delhi, Talk at Faizabad Pustak Mela : Faizabad etc. Excerpts from the book are widely acclaimed and printed in several magazines like India Today, Shukrawar, Naya Jnyanodaya etc. They have also found place in famous blogs online. The readings of selected portions of the book by the author are present on YouTube.
References
1. यतीन्द्र मिश्र / परिचय
2. Yatindra Mishra - Kavita Kosh
3. Yatindra Mishra - Facebook
4. AajTak - Yatindra Mishra and Lata Mangeshkar - Lata Sur Gatha