‘My journey into music began from mother’s womb’

Apeejay Panchsheel Park has produced countless meritorious students over the years. The school is no stranger to its students and alumni winning prestigious awards. However, it is an altogether different happiness and pride, when the Gurus in the school win it big in their field.

Today is one such moment as the school music teacher, Mr Rishi Shankar Upadhyay, has been conferred with the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s national academy of music, dance and drama. In an exclusive interview, the Mridangam Maestro speaks about his gharana, Gurus and great love for music.

Sir, how high is the josh after winning this award?

It is a dream come true! To be recognised and honoured by such a prestigious academy. Heartfelt thanks to them for such an honour. Now, I feel a greater responsibility towards music. I will work harder and will promote Pakhavaj. I hope to train more disciples, especially from Apeejay Panchsheel Park. I want to train them so well that they too get such awards in the future.

I dedicate this award to all my Gurus, Chairman Sushma Paul Berlia ma’am, Dr Neha Berlia ma’am and all my well-wishers.

Do tell us about the beginning of your music journey?

I come from a family that has a rich gharana in music. I received music as part of the family heritage from my ancestors. My ancestors would be part of the royal court of many kings. Some of them were musicians in the royal court of King Madan Rai.

It is a matter of Parampara i.e. cultural tradition for me. In our family, we come from Pandit (Pt) Vasudev Upadhyay parampara named after my great grandfather. He was a genius with the Pakhavaj and earned great fame back in the day. So, I feel proud to say that I am representing the fifteenth generation of a family devoted to the service of music. .

I feel my journey into music began from my mother’s womb. My father and grandfather would do their riyaaz daily and as a foetus itself, I would be one with this love for music. I believe this is the reason for my dedication towards Pakhavaj. But it was from the age of 5 that I was initiated into music and learned under my grandfather, my first Guru.

Why did you choose Pakahawaj as your instrument of expertise?

Let us put it this way that my instrument chose me and only then could I choose it. But I am also trained in other domains. My mother Smt Malti Upadhyay guided me in Hindustani singing and I can play the Tabla as well.

Pakhavaj is mangal vaadya. One plays it especially on auspicious occasions. Its tunes are very meditative. Bhagwan Shiva himself created this instrument. His son Ganesh ji was an expert in playing it. Hence, its tunes straightaway touch the heart. Its rhythms are grand, majestic yet artful and finely balanced like an elephant walking on the road, gracefully yet with a tender poise.

Throwback now to your riyaaz days! Tell us about your Gurus?

My grandfather Pt Ram ji Upadhyay was my first Guru. He brought much innovation in Pakhavaj but it was my father Pt Ravi Shankar Upadhyay who played a huge role in reviving the dying art of Pakhavaj. He had the vision to modernize it for the younger generations and conceptualized Pakhavaj rhythms alongside literature. My father worked extensively on Paran, vela, jhala beats and further enhanced the passionate sounds of this instrument.

What have been your most memorable concerts?

I performed with my father in the Saptak music festival in Ahmedabad. I was nervous to perform alongside my guru But I performed great. All legendary artists of the nation were in the audience, countless Padma Bhusan, Vibhushan and other VIPs of the music world. So, I saw it as an opportunity to perform well and introduce myself to the world.

Then after some time, I requested my father to let me accompany him on his foreign concerts. Like all true Gurus, my father told me to work hard on my skill first and also advised me to become capable of being invited to foreign concerts on my own merit.

Later, I participated in the National level music festival in Mumbai named after the legend Pandit Jasraj ji. I emerged as the winner in the instrumental category and was taken to perform at the Vedic Heritage festival in New York in 2009. That was a memorable moment for me.

How did Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park support you in this journey ?

It is beyond words. President Sishma Berlia ma’am and Neha Berlia ma’am have always encouraged me. The management has motivated me so much. It is my duty to bring glory to my school through all my achievements. I couldn’t have flourished without their support.

Lastly, a word to encourage more students into learning Pakahvaj?

Pakhavaj is the father of all percussion be it western or Indian instruments. Learning it is not difficult, it just requires dedication and patience. Enjoy and love this instrument, afterall it is a part of the Indian heritage. One must save it and honour it.