Draft:Rishitosh Kumar

Dr. Rishitosh Kumar

Dr. Rishitosh Kumar (born 6 October 1972) is an Indian Tabla artist, academician, author, and mentor, known for his specialisation in the Banaras Gharana of Tabla. He has been recognised nationally and internationally for his performances, publications, teaching, and contributions to Indian classical music.

Early Life and Training

Dr Rishitosh was born in Bihar, India, to Late Shri Nageshwar Prasad Ambasta and Late Smt. Urmila Sinha. He is a distinguished disciple of the legendary tabla maestro Pandit Chhotelal Mishra of the Banaras Gharana, having trained under the traditional Guru-Shishya Parampara for over 25 years. He mastered multiple styles, including Banaras, Delhi, Ajrada, and Punjab Baaj. His distinctive playing style combines tonal clarity of the right hand with depth on the left drum.

Career

Dr Rishitosh has performed extensively on both national and international stages, showcasing his artistry as a soloist as well as an accompanist. In addition to his performances, he has delivered numerous lecture-demonstrations at prestigious national and international platforms, contributing significantly to the global appreciation and understanding of the tabla.

He served as a Teaching Associate at Banaras Hindu University from 1995 to 1999. He holds the distinction of being the first-ever tabla scholar at the University of Delhi to be awarded a Ph.D. in Music (Tabla), having pursued his research under the prestigious UGC Junior Research Fellowship. Since 2013, he has been serving as an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Music & Fine Arts, University of Delhi. He is also credited with initiating and establishing the degree program in Tabla at the University of Delhi, where the curriculum now extends up to the Ph.D. level. Kumar has also taught internationally, including at Grinnell College (USA) and IES Abroad programs.

In 2006, he founded NaadAura – Musical Odyssey (NAMO), an organisation dedicated to preserving and popularising India’s musical and cultural heritage through concerts, workshops, and festivals. He has organised several national and international music events, including the annual festivals dedicated to tabla exponents Pandit Anokhe Lal Mishra and Pandit Chhotelal Mishra, International Indo-Jazz concerts, music webinars during the COVID-19 pandemic and Chakradar Mahotsav.

Organiser: He is the Founder-President of NaadAura (Musical Odyssey), established in 2006, which organises national and international festivals, webinars, and workshops. He has curated programs such as the Chakradaar Mahotsav, International Indo-Jazz Concerts, and music therapy webinars during COVID-19.

Publications

Dr. Kumar has authored several notable books, research papers, and articles on Indian classical music and tabla. His works have been reviewed in reputed publications such as India Today, Chhayanut Journal, and Taal Kosh (Encyclopedia of Tabla). His notable books include:

Sangeet Shikshan ke Vividh Aayam, Kanishka Publisher, Delhi (2010)
Tabla ka Udgam evam Delhi Gharana: Durlabh Bandishon ka Sanchayan, Kanishka Publisher, Delhi (2015)
Tabla Maharshi Pt. Chhotelal Mishra ki Shreshth Kritiyan, Akansha Publisher, Delhi (2022)

Awards and honours

Kumar has received several awards and fellowships, including:

Junior and Senior Research Fellowship, UGC (1998)
Junior Fellowship, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India (2007)
Senior Fellowship, CCRT, Govt. of India (2016)
Taal Mani Award, Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai (2004)
Sangeet Ratna Samman (2006)
Tabla Vadya Shiromani, Sivananda Seva Samiti, Uttarkashi (2024)
Cultural Star, Jamia Millia Islamia (2025)

Contributions to Music

Introduced the Tabla degree course at the University of Delhi.
Directed and presented several Tabla Ensembles such as Laya Arpan and Mangal Dhwani at Delhi University cultural events.
Conducted national and international webinars integrating Yoga and Music Therapy.
Served as jury member and examiner for prestigious institutions and competitions, including CCRT, Sangeet Natak Akademi(Up Govt.) and National Youth Festivals, etc.

His research explores the historical, theoretical, and performance aspects of tabla and pakhawaj. He has been invited to deliver lecture-demonstrations at colleges and universities across India, and frequently contributes papers to seminars on Indian classical music.

National seminars and workshops

Presented a research paper at the UGC National Seminar on Changing Scenario of Performance Practices in Indian Music (Delhi University, 2016).
Served as Resource Person at the UGC Seminar on The Contribution of Women to Indian Classical Music (Delhi University, 2017).
Moderated a workshop on Instrument Making, Repair, and Maintenance (Delhi University & Sangeet Natak Akademi, 2018).
Delivered a lecture-demonstration on Hindustani classical rhythm at Sri Aurobindo College, University of Delhi (2019).
Chaired Series 11 National Webinar organised by NaadAura on Yoga and Indian Music in Our Lives during the Pandemic (2020).

Personal Life

Dr. Kumar was born on 6 October 1972 in Bihar, India, to Late Shri Nageshwar Prasad Ambasta and Late Smt. Urmila Sinha. He resides in both Delhi and Patna.

He is married to Acharya Jagriti, a yoga guru, music critic, writer, and programme director. Their son, Master Priyatosh Sri, is recognised as a talented tabla child prodigy.

Dr. Kumar has trained several disciples, including international students such as Vincent Kelley and Martha Ryan from the United States, and Sanyam Grover (CCRT fellow), Romaan Khan, Gurbhej Singh, Ashutosh, Manish Rawat, and Surjeet Singh from India. Among his academic mentees, two of his Ph.D. students—Dr. Rekha Mishra and Dr. Sunita Gupta have successfully completed their doctoral research under his supervision.

Legacy

Dr. Rishitosh’s work bridges the gap between traditional Indian classical music and modern educational systems. He has trained numerous students who have gone on to become successful artists and educators. His contributions to the Banaras Gharana and to the world of Indian rhythm are seen as pioneering, scholarly, and deeply rooted in tradition

References

https://music.du.ac.in/assistantprofessor/rishitosh-kumar.php

https://www.du.ac.in/uploads/du/Faculty%20CV/Music/Rishitosh_Kumar.pdf