Rishi Shankar Upadhyay is a distinguished Pakhawaj maestro and a preeminent custodian of the Pandit Vasudev Upadhyay Pakhawaj Parampara of Gaya, Bihara venerable musical lineage spanning over four centuries. As a 15th-generation artist of this revered tradition, he inherited his craft through a rigorous guru-shishya parampara, receiving foundational training from his grandfather, the legendary Mridangacharya Pt. Ramji Upadhyay, and further honing his mastery under his father and guru, Pt. Ravi Shankar Upadhyay.

An ''A Grade'' artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan, Pandit Rishi Shankar is celebrated for a style that is both powerful and deeply meditative, capturing the spiritual essence of the Dhrupad tradition. His artistry has been recognized with the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar from the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi.

His performances on major national and international stages are acclaimed for their technical discipline and rhythmic depth, whether in solo recitals or in collaboration with the maestros of Indian classical music and dance. As both a dedicated performer and educator, he continues to expand this timeless legacy, offering global audiences a profound immersion into Indias classical rhythmic heritage.