Pakhawaj artist Rishi Shankar Upadhyay performing on stage, seated with the instrument and gesturing during a live classical music concert.
Hindustani Classical Instrumental

Rishi Shankar Upadhyay

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About

Rishi Shankar Upadhyay is a Pakhawaj maestro from the 15th-generation Vasudev Upadhyay lineage, known for Dhrupad tradition, national awards, and All India Radio recognition.

Biography

Rishi Shankar Upadhyay is a distinguished Pakhawaj artist and a 15th-generation representative of the Pandit Vasudev Upadhyay Pakhawaj Parampara of Gaya, Bihar, a lineage spanning over five centuries. Deeply rooted in the Dhrupad tradition, he combines percussion expertise with an understanding of vocal forms, reflecting the integrated approach of traditional Indian classical training.

He received his training under his grandfather, Pt. Ramji Upadhyay, and his father, Pt. Ravi Shankar Upadhyay, continuing a hereditary tradition of rigorous pedagogy and performance. His playing style is characterised by clarity, strength, and a meditative depth aligned with the aesthetic principles of Dhrupad music.

Rishi Shankar Upadhyay has been recognised with several honours, including the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (2023) and the SaMaPa Yuva Ratna Samman. He is also an A-Grade artist with All India Radio and Doordarshan, marking his presence within India’s national classical music framework.

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Rishi Shankar Upadhyay