ASI Binod Kumar Mishra has earned more fame through music than policing. Picture by Prashant Mitra

He is tough like many other fellow cops while being on duty, but his softer side comes out when he practises music.

Meet Binod Kumar Mishra (50), an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) with the Ranchi traffic police, who, despite his irregular office hours, has kept his passion for music alive.

Mishra, who mans traffic at AG More in Ranchi, is the only graded (B-High) artist in the Bhojpuri music category at the All India Radio and Doordarshan in the capital, where he regularly performs. He has been a graded AIR artist since 1980.

Besides, he is also a regular performer at other musical concerts that take place in the capital.

Apart from Bhojpuri, the ASI also plays various instruments. The harmonium, tabla, dholak, naal, khanjira and synthesiser behave well in his hands.

In 1976, he was appointed in the Bihar police service, through the music quota. He also has equal mastery over Bhojpuri songs, ghazals, bhajans and qawwali.

Mishra accepts that striking a balance between the tough policing responsibilities and the more docile singing and music is not an easy task.

?Yes, it is quite difficult,? admits Mishra, adding, ?Par naukari to naukari hai, adjust to karna hi parta hai. (But work is work and I have to adjust myself). Music is my life and I somehow manage to find time for it despite my hectic job.?

Hearing about his deep-felt desire towards music, it does not take a mastermind to figure out that he has no intentions to quit his passion.

?Music has great power. It gives peace of mind, no matter what situation you are in. It is a source of comfort during both happy and sad moments,? says the cop-cum-musician.

Born in Chapra, Bihar, Mishra started learning to play harmonium from a local artist, Narsingh Narayan Singh. Later, he learnt Bhojpuri music under Sant Raj Singh Rajesh, who is a B-High artist himself, and from Janardan Dubey, an A-grade artist.

After joining the police force in 1976, he has performed at various places and has also got many awards. In 1978, he bagged the first prize at a state-level meet of Bihar Policemen?s Association held at Dumka.

Mishra has also performed at concerts organised by the song and drama division. He took part in a music conference organised by the AIR, Patna, in 1998. Artistes such as Manoj Kumar Akela and Manoj Ojha had also participated in this conference.

Mishra has also composed music for a play and has also performed at many musical programmes organised by the Nagpuri Kala Sangam and IAS Officers? Wives Association in Ranchi.

?Music has given me a lot. In fact, I got this wardi (job) only because of my passion for music. There are many policemen posted in the department but I get special recognition and respect because of my musical talent,? Mishra adds.

Recollecting some of his experiences playing music, Mishra says: ?I still remember when I was appreciated by the then chief minister Laloo Prasad Yadav, who also loves Bhojpuri music. Laloo was very much impressed with the lines Dukh se na koi gamhai; sukh se na ashna hai; razi hain hum usi mein; jisme theri raza hai, which meant I am happy in whatever situation God keeps me.?

Those days the politician was in the midst of some hardships, said the musician and added that the lines apparently caught his fancy.

Mishra wants to do more programmes, for which he has already taken permission from the department.

?Music unites people. It spreads joy and the feeling of love, and I want to share these feelings with the people. I wish for the entire world to be full of happiness and joy. And this can be brought about only through music,? he opines.