Nana Panse Gharana · Varanasi
Dr. Ankit
Parikh
Maestro of the Pakhawaj
A distinguished custodian of ancient Pakhawaj tradition — blending scholarly depth with soulful artistry across India's most revered stages.
Maestro of the Pakhawaj
A distinguished custodian of ancient Pakhawaj tradition — blending scholarly depth with soulful artistry across India's most revered stages.
Dr. Ankit Parikh is one of India's most distinguished Pakhawaj artists — a percussionist of rare depth, rooted in the ancient Nana Panse Gharana. Born in Varanasi and currently based in Mathura, he carries forward a tradition that stretches back centuries in Indian classical music.
At 39, Ankit embodies a generation that marries scholarly rigor with living artistic practice. His Ph.D. from Banaras Hindu University, his JRF from UGC, and his empanelment with ICCR speak to an intellectual commitment that enriches every performance.
He is celebrated for meditative solo recitals, sensitive Dhrupad accompaniment, and his rare mastery of Haveli Sangeet traditions — a sound that feels both ancient and alive.
A Vidwan of the Nana Panse Gharana and Acharya of the Vallabha Sampradaya — the foundational guru who initiated Dr. Parikh into the sacred tradition of Pakhawaj as devotional practice.
Senior disciple of Swami Pagal Das Ji and Pt. Sakharam Mridangacharya — under whose guidance Dr. Parikh deepened his mastery of complex compositions and traditional Riyaz methodology.
From the G20 Summit to temple courtyards, from IIT stages to the banks of the Ganga — Dr. Parikh has carried the sound of the Pakhawaj to every corner of India's classical music landscape.
Performance alongside Pt. Abhay Rustom Sopori in the presence of India's highest dignitaries — an honour accorded to only a few Pakhawaj artists in history.
Dr. Parikh has accompanied and collaborated with some of the most celebrated musicians of our era — Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardees.
In collaboration with Vimal Institute, Ahmedabad — Dr. Parikh developed the first-ever dedicated Pakhawaj application for Dhrupad, Veena, Surbahar, and Haveli Sangeet practitioners worldwide.
🌐 Visit pakhawaj.co.inA landmark published work — a practical notation-based book on Pakhawaj featuring compositions of the Kudau Singh Gharana, making rare traditional knowledge accessible to students and scholars.
Core member of Soul of Benaras, led by Pt. Deobrat Mishra — travelled to Spain for cultural exchange through ICCR, bringing Banaras's musical tradition to international audiences.
Intensive 5-day Gurukul-tradition training camps in Varanasi, online masterclasses, and workshops across India — nurturing the next generation of serious Pakhawaj practitioners.
For performances, workshops & collaborations