Lalmani Misra (August 11, 1924 - July 17, 1979), was an eminent Indian classical musician known as much for his art and for his scholarship. Initiation into music Lalmani learnt Dhruvapada (Dhrupad) Dhamar in the tradition of Pt. Shankar Bhatt and Munshi Bhrigunath Lal. He learnt Khayal singing with Ustad Mehndi Hussain Khan, a disciple of Ustad Vazir Khan of Rampur Seni Gharana. He received training in Dhruvpad, Bhajan and Tabla from Swami Pramodanand; in sitar from Shri Shukdev Roy. Under the tutelage of Ustad Amir Ali Khan he perfected several other musical instruments. Lalmani was appointed on the post of assistant music director in Shehanshahi Recording Company, Calcutta at the age of twelve. He worked in several films for the next two years. His interaction with these two, kindled an interest for orchestration in Lalmani. [edit] Making music work Performing in Berlin, with a troupe, April 1932 He returned to Kanpur in 1940 after his father’s death. A musical prodigy himself, he experimented with ways of imparting musical training to children, at a time and place where learning of music was shunned by the chaste and noble. He opened several “Bal Sangeet Vidyalaya” – music schools for children; modified the syllabus according to the need of learner, both formal and informal; started an orchestra society. He established the reputed institution of the region, “Bharatiya Sangeet Parishad”, and a music college – “Gandhi Sangeet Mahavidyalaya”. Excited by all things musical he persisted in experimenting and soon his innovations in technique, style, and orchestration brought him repute and regard.