On November 14, Parth Upadhyay, a ninth-grade student from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, made a memorable appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) Season 16. Seated opposite Amitabh Bachchan, the host and iconic Bollywood actor, Parth impressed the audience and won Rs 25 lakh by answering several challenging questions. But his achievements went beyond the quiz game—Parth also captivated everyone with his recitation of verses from the Ramayana and a poem by renowned poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar.
Parth Upadhyay is originally a resident of Banswara district of Rajasthan. He comes from Talwara town and is currently studying in Indore. His father Amit is a lawyer in the High Court and his mother is also a lawyer by profession.
During the show, Parth showcased his knowledge of the Ramayana by reciting portions from the Sundarkand and Yuddh Kand, bringing a traditional aspect to the quiz game. He even took off his shoes before reciting in front of Bachchan, a gesture that conveyed his respect for the sacred verses. His rendition was met with enthusiastic applause from the live audience and admiration from Bachchan himself.
Parth’s impressive recitations didn’t end there. He also shared Dinkar‘s famous poem, Veer Ras Ki Rashmi Rathi, flawlessly. His energetic delivery and accuracy in reciting this powerful verse made a lasting impression on the audience and Bachchan, who was visibly moved by the young contestant’s talent.
Parth’s journey on KBC came to an end when he faced a difficult question: Which Gandharva was killed by another Gandharva of the same name in the Mahabharata? With no remaining lifelines, Parth decided to play it safe and quit the game. Upon quitting, he secured Rs 25 lakh, which will be credited to his account upon reaching the age of 18.
Bachchan, who has a personal connection to poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, was touched by Parth’s recitation. Dinkar was a close friend of Bachchan’s father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, and frequently visited their home.
Reminiscing about Dinkar, Amitabh shared his fond memories, stating, “Dinkar ji and my father were close friends, and they often spent time together. You recited his poem with such remarkable energy! Though Dinkar ji’s voice was deeper, your voice modulation and spirit were outstanding.”
Parth’s KBC appearance was more than just a win; it was a demonstration of his knowledge, talent, and respect for India’s cultural heritage. His performance left a lasting impact on everyone present and offered a glimpse of the talent that India’s younger generation possesses.
