IdentitySh. Gaurav Shankar Upadhayay belongs to the traditional music family 'Pandit Vasudev Upadhyay Pakhawaj Parampara (Gaya Bihar)'. He represents the 8th generation of Pakhawaj players from their family. He took training in Pakhawaj from an early age under the guidance of his grandfather Pakhwaj legend Pandit Ramji Upadhyay. Later continued his training from his father Pandit Gauri Shankar Upadhayay.
He has been mastered in proper discipline under Guru-Shishya parampara which can be seen in his Pakhawaj recital having intricate Bol, Paran, Paral, and different varieties of Chakradaar, difficult Relas and sublime Jhala according to the traditional style.
Gaurav Upadhayay has been awarded the Gold medal (Presidential Award) as special prize winner at the All India Radio music competition in year 2010.
He is a well-known 'B - High' Grade Artist in Pakhawaj from All India Radio and Doordarshan. He has also been given the National scholarship from CCRT, Delhi.
He has performed at many prestigious music festivals all over India including the National programme of music on DD National channel, Swami Haridas Sangeet Sammelan, Vrindavan; Pandit Vidur Mallick Dhrupad Dham Samaroh,Vrindavan; Taj Mahotsav Agra; Dhrupad Mela, Varanasi; Kumar Gandharva Samaroh, Dewas; 73rd Shriram Shankarlal Music Festival, Delhi; Pandit Vidur Mallick sangeet samaroh, WIC Dehradun; Anahad Music Festival, Delhi; Bihar Utsav, Delhi; Dhrupad Utsav, Varanasi; Spicmacay Virasat Programme series; 7th Guru M.L.Kosar Music and Dance Festival, Delhi; Pandit Manmohan Bhatt Memorial Award festival, Jaipur to name a few.
Shri Gaurav Upadhayay had accompanied some of the renowned musicians including Dhrupad Guru Pandit Prem Kumar Mallick, Pt. Ram Kumar Mallick, Pandit Prashant-Nishant Mallick (Mallick brothers), Pt. Vinod Dwivedi to name a few.
Sh. Gaurav Upadhyay has also been featured in Music albums 'An Evening Bliss' with Pt. Prem Kumar Mallick and 'Eternal Bliss' with Mallick brothers on the Pakhawaj by Bihaan Music, India.
