Lalmani Misra (11 August 1924 – 17 July 1979) was an Indian classical musician. Initiation into music Lalmani learnt Dhruvapada (Dhrupad) Dhamar in the tradition of 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. Making music work 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. Globe-trotter The renowned dance maestro Uday Shankar offered him the position of music director in his troupe. Lalmani Misra travelled with the troupe composing scores for innovative dance presentations and ballets on mythological and contemporary themes. The troupe covered several major towns and cities of India and covered Ceylon, France, England, Belgium, America and Canada between 1951 and 1955. Misra was adept at playing several types of musical instruments and had a knack for orchestration, which served the needs of Uday Shankar's innovative Dance troupe. The experience with the troupe made him try his hand on stage as well. He created the Meera opera which was staged in 1956 at Kanpur. The audience was amazed by the sudden disappearance of Meera from the stage, apparently merging into the idol of Lord Krishna. Another production of this opera was presented at Varanasi at Banaras Hindu University in 1960 on the tenth anniversary of the foundation of the Music Faculty. Music educationist On his return,