Shailendra Mishra ‘TOP GRADE’ artist of ‘ALL INDIA RADIO’ (AIR), was nurtured and seasoned for TABLA playing by eminent gurus like Shree Arjun Rai, Pandit Anand Gopal Bandopadhyay and Pandit Sameer Chatterjee.He also received valuable guidance from Late Pandit Shyamal Bose. He represents both Banaras and Farrukkhabad Gharanas.

At a very young age, he has carved a niche for himself and is regarded as one of the most talented percussionist in India. His playing is signified by authenticity of the Gharanas he represents, clarity and dignity to the ‘bols’, his complete control over laya and a good understanding of the underlying complexities of Taal and Laya. His repertoire is rich and varied, indeed.

In him, one can find both, an able accompanist as well as, a talented soloist.

Winner of many prestigious contests including ‘AIR COMPETITION’, he also has a Master’s Degree in Music (percussion).

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 Ustad Amjad Ali Khan (sarod), Pandit V.G.Jog,(violin),Pandit Shrikant Bakre(vocal),Pandit Rajan Sajan Mishra(vocal),pandit Ulhas Kashalkar(vocal),Vidushi N.Rajam(violin), Smt Laxmishankar) (vocal),Pandit Surinder Singh (vocal) 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 with 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.

On invitation from ‘Indian Council for cultural Relations’(ICCR), Government of India, he has toured different places in India as well as abroad to perform and propagate the art of tabla playing.

ICCR, Government of India had deputed him as third secretary(culture) in the Cultural Centre, High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur where he was not only teaching this art to the people of Malaysia but also propagating and spreading our culture through musical performances, workshops and seminars.

• The cultural scene, in respect to Indian classical music, in Malaysia underwent a positive change during his tenure.

During his tenure in Malaysia, innumerable concerts, involving world famous artists from India and abroad and many small scale concerts involving the local artists were organized in Malaysia. This sudden increase and awareness regarding Indian classical music among the people of Malaysia was brought about by the efforts of Shri. Shailendra Mishra.

• His tours to the USA, Europe, South East Asia, Middle East has enabled him to propagate our rich culture and music internationally and enriched his experience enabling him to be able to relate with students of any cultural background.

PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCES.

NATIONAL

Performed in many concerts and conferences organized by both Government and private organizations

Such as:

* 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

* ONAM FESTIVAL

* SWAR RANG FESTIVAL

* MALLHAR FESTIVAL, ICCR

* SOURANG UTSAV NEW DELHI

* FESTIVAL OF INDIAN MUSIC AND DANCE, Ravishankar Institute of Music and Performing Arts

* SANGEET NATAK ACADEMY

* BHARAT BHAVAN FESTIVAL, BHOPAL

* FESTIVAL OF PUNJABI ACADEMY

* JAI BHARATI FESTIVAL III (GURU-SHISHYA RATNAVALI)

* TEMPLE FESTIVAL, PUSHKAR.

* AJMER SANSKRITIK SAMAROH, AJMER.

* GHARANA FEST O9

* THUMRI FESTIVAL 2012

* MUSIC IN THE PARK DELHI

INTERNATIONAL

• INTERNATIONAL ART FESTIVAL ‘PEACE AND RESPECT

TO CELEBRATE 3000 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF OSH CITY (KYRGHYZSTAN).AUG.-SEP., 2000.

• INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL ‘DAYS OF INDIAN CULTURE in TURKMENISTAN, 2000
• HIGH COMMISSION OF INDIA-DHAKA,BANGLADESH, JANUARY,2001.
• INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL -KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, AUGUST, 2004.
• CONDUCTED A LECTURE DEMONSTRATION ORGANISED BY MALAYSIA HINDU SANGAM, KUALA LUMPUR, APRIL 2005.
• ‘NAMASTE INDIA’ CONCERT SERIES IN ALL OVER EUROPE 2010.
• ALL NIGHT CHHANDAYAN CONCERT IN NEW YORK 2009
• CONCERTS IN NEW JERSEY, WASHINGTON DC AND MOST PART OF THE U.S.2008-2009
• ‘MEHERBAN’ A COLABORATION OF INDIAN AND IRANIAN MUSICIANS IN IRAN 2011.

STATEMENTS BY PRINT MEDIA

1. Tabla accompaniment by Shree Shailendra not only supported the vocalist but inspired also. ` Anand Bajar Patrika, Calcutta, 14-09-98

2. …shailendra Mishra accompanied melodiously with the vocalists duo

Hindustan,New Delhi, 01-06-08

3. Though young, one could witness his excellent control over the Bayan (Left hand) at the concert which one develops with thorough practice over a period of time. Being young, Shailendra has a bright future & has proved to be a perfect accompanist as well as a solo performer. He displayed his talent with perfect maturity & mastery. Star of Mysore. 26-08-98

4. Magic of the flute was complemented by the Tabla performance by Delhi based Shailendra Mishra. Chandigarh Tribune 12-08-2000

5. His accompaniment was ultimate. Amar Ujala Chandigarh, 12-08-2000

6. Mr. Shailendra mishra’s accompaniment with the vocalist was not only well coordinated but interesting too. Jansatta, 12-09-02

OBJECTIVE IN LIFE: To bring awareness among the people about the effects and benefits of music.

• Among children: Today's children are so overburdened with the pressures of studies, performing extracurricular activities like swimming, tennis, mental maths, and the like, that, they hardly find time to be children and enjoy the carefree life of an innocent child. They are maturing too fast and have ceased to be themselves at a very early age.

They need to know who they are, where their roots lie, where they come from and what the purpose of getting a human life is. Today's parents, teachers and the entire system of education demands so much from them that they have become mere machines. They have no time to develop their aesthetic sense, to search within themselves the softer side, to enjoy this human life. We have deprived them of a beautiful phase of life called, CHILDHOOD.

My aim is to slow them down and make them meet their human self. Slowing down does not mean that I want to hinder their progress, slowing down means negating the ill effects of a mechanical life. I want them to know the basic difference between living and existing. They have not been sent in this world to just eat, sleep, earn money, buy luxuries and enjoy the artificial happiness given to them through video games, internet and soft toys. They deserve to enjoy the free gifts of nature too.

I want them to meet their real self which is possible through Music. Music calms down their disturbed minds. It relieves the unnecessary pressure we as parents, teachers and general adults put on them. When they come in contact with real music, they introspect; they go deep down inside their conscience and learn to explore their aesthetics. They become real human being.

My association with different schools/universities including Manhattan School of Music, New York, University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Delhi University, Delhi among many others has enabled me to propagate Indian culture through music amongst the younger generation.

• Among Parents: Parents today are so busy earning money to be able to give the best of facilities to their children that they hardly find time to cater to the emotional/aesthetic aspects of their children.

Some parents who have the time do not have the means, and some others who have both do not have the information. So many times we have seen parents spoiling their children's personalities due to lack of tact of handling the situations or because they get too vulnerable to be able to say NO to their only child. They need to first know their own selves and then become responsible parents. It’s not their fault; it’s a vicious chain which is going down from one generation to the other. We have to break this chain. We have to make them aware of their roots, responsibilities and values.

The study of music can surely make parents understand themselves better and resultantly, their off springs better too.

I feel we need to introduce the parents first to the vastness of Music/rhythm, only then can we imbibe it in their children.