The term "Mighty Handful" refers to a group of five influential Russian composers from the late 19th century. This collective, also known as the Russian Five, aimed to create a distinct Russian style of classical music, separate from Western influences. The members included Mily Balakirev, César Cui, Modest Mussorgsky, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, and Alexander Borodin. The Mighty Handful sought inspiration from Russian folk music and national themes, which they incorporated into their compositions. Their work significantly contributed to the development of Russian classical music, influencing future generations of composers and establishing a unique cultural identity in the music world.