Pandit Ravi Shankar Upadhyay is a constellation of music, born in India and spreading his fame all over the world as a well known Pakhāwaj Maestro, soloist, accompanist, and teacher. He has been blessed with the art of music from his ancestors. Born in Iswarpur village of district Gaya in Bihar, he is the son of the world famous Pakhāwaj maestro Late Pandit Ramji Upadhyay. He started getting intense and fine training in the art of Pakhawaj playing from his father from the tender age of 8 years. He proudly represents 13 generations of artists from a 400 year old family tradition with its roots in Rajasthan and Bihar.

The style of Pakhāwaj-wādan of Pt. Upadhyay is characterized by clarity in Padhant, pure pronunciation of words, mathematical work in music, miraculous Tihaīyān, difficult Layakāri, Stuti, Chhand, Padāl, difficult Parans, preparations of marvelous Relās. Pt. Upadhyay is currently teaching at the National Institute of Kathak Kendra, New Delhi as Pakhāwaj Guru. An internationally recognized performer on the stage, radio and television, a recording artist, and teacher, Pt. Upadhyay has accompanied many reputed musicians throughout the world and has received numerous prestigious awards