Unlike many Indian classical musicians Ashish Narayan Tripathi did not make contact with the world of music until the age of 16. He was born and brought up in the small town of Mainpuri, UP where opportunity to study music were very limited. However his thirst for music led him to his first guru, Dr. Manjari Mishra and his musical journey thus began.
But the fish from the pond was now looking to swim in bigger waters. This search led him to the holy city of Vrindavan where he was blessed with the guidance of the Dhrupad legend Pandit Bidur Malik. Although interested in Khayal gayaki right from the beginning, he credits his training in Dhrupad style for the deep resonant voice that is the trademark of his singing today. This chapter in his life lasted for a couple of years which resulted in creating a very strong foundation for what was to come next.
His journey then took him to the city of Nawabs, Lucknow, where he pursued his musical interests in the illustrious Bhaatkhande College of Music. As fate would have it this time too he was blessed to receive the guidance of another Indian Classical stalwart, Pandit Dharamnath Mishra.
After his diploma completion in Lucknow he turned his eyes to the cultural capital of the county, Delhi. This decision eventually turned out to be the turning point in his career as this is where he met the living legends Padmabhushan Pandit Rajan and Pandit Sajan Mishra under whose guidance he still continues his musical education. He believes that prior to meeting them all he had managed to do was collect the essential raw materials which were then used by his Gurus to make the final product.
He was lucky to not only be guided by Panditji but also by their sons, Shri Ritesh and Rajneesh Mishra who represent the next generation of Banaras Gharana. During this time he also completed his masters in Indian classical Vocals from University of Delhi, Arts faculty.
Under Panditji's guidance his career skyrocketed. He is also lucky to get the guidance of legends of Dhrupad Padmashree Pandit Umakant Gundecha and Pandit Ramakant Gundecha.
He has won several awards and competitions in the last decade. To name some, Naad Sadhak Upadhi by Vishnu Digamber Paluskar Samiti, Agra ; Sangeet Kala Gaurav at Ninaad festival, Agra; Swaranubhuti Award for excellence in the field of performing arts, Jalgaon Maharashtra, etc.
He is also making efforts to keep the Guru Shishya parampara alive in its true spirit by teaching his selected few pupils not only the musical aspect but also the traditional and cultural aspect of Indian Classical Music system of education. He is the founder of Swarveni Music Academy established in Delhi.
Last but not the least, no one's introduction is complete without a mention of their parents. In this case, the father Shri Indrapal Tripathi and the mother Shrimati Kusumlata Tripathi. Without their moral values, encouragement and unconditional support none of the above would have ever come to pass.
He is married and has two beautiful children and currently resides in Delhi where he continues to dive ever deeper into the abyss that is music under the guidance of his gurus.