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Mahima is a 15th Generation Pakhavaj Artiste from a Gharana started by her fore fathers. She belongs to the family of the Gaya Bihar or Parampara Gharana which has been in existence for over 400 years. Mahima has learnt the art of Pakhvaj from her Father Maestro Ravi Shankar Upadhyay and she also tours with him and her brother Rishi Shankar Upadhyay, also a stellar Pakhavaj Player. Mahima is also a part of all female band Sakhi and has been featured on numerous TV channels in India for her talent.
The ‘pakhawaj’, an adaptation of the mridagam, is believed to have been invented in 14th century India. It is a standard percussion instrument in the Dhrupad style. The art of playing pakhawaj has been a tradition which has been explored since ancient times. In successive generations this tradition blossomed and numerous Gharanas picked up the art. The Upadhay Gharana from Bihar has carried the pakhawaj legacy since almost 400 years. Mahima Upadhyay represents the 13th generation of artistes from this family. Not only is she the first female pakhawaj player from her family but also from the state of Bihar.
Mahima learnt the art from her father the Great pakhawaj maestro, Pt. Ravi Shankar Upadhyay. Her relation with her Guru was the same as any disciple would have. That her Guru was her father did not merit any leeway for her. It could be termed as the traditional Guru-Shishya relationship.
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