Rishab Rikhiram Sharma

About Rishab Rikhiram Sharma New York-based sitarist, music producer, and composer Rishab Rikhiram Sharma is on a mission to promote awareness about mental health through music. After a successful run across the US and Canada, he has just returned for the Sakhi 35th Anniversary gala from his 11 City ‘Sitar for Mental Health’ Tour across India. Rishab was born in Delhi to the renowned Rikhi Ram family of luthiers, Rishab first started playing the Sitar at the age of 10 and was immediately captivated by its magic. Rishab's father, master luthier Sanjay Sharma (Rikhi Ram), was his first Guru. He recognized Rishab’s unwavering dedication and commitment to the instrument and introduced him on stage to the world in the year 2011. This performance of Rishab’s caught the attention of Sitar Maestro Pt. Ravi Shankar who blessed him by taking him under his guidance. Rishab soon became the maestro’s youngest and last disciple. After Pt. Ravi Shankar’s unfortunate passing, Rishab continued his Sitar training under Pt. Parimal Sadaphal, one of the most senior disciples of Pt. Ravi Shankar. He also had the honor of learning from great exponents of music such as Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Ustad Rais Khan, Pt. Arun Bharatram and more. One of Rishab’s many notable achievements is that he is the only Sitarist of his generation to have performed a solo in front of a real audience of 60,000 and 500 million at-home live viewers. He has also appeared on major Indian reality TV shows and TV channels such as Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega, Hindustan Ke Hunarbaaz, NDTV, Aaj Tak, DoorDarshan India and many more. Rishab is an alumnus of Delhi Public School R. K. Puram. At the age of 17, he moved to New York City to study at City University New York, Queens College Campus; pursuing Music Production and Economics. Rishab has built a strong network in the US and is well-known for incorporating modern music elements into his classical training. He has also amassed quite a following on mediums such as Youtube, Instagram, Facebook and most recently, Clubhouse. On social media, you can find Rishab regularly sharing his musical experiments, collaborating with other artists, and pioneering the formation of a global community of musicians and music lovers in generating awareness for mental health. At present, he has his calendar full with an upcoming US tour, performances in London in June as well as more shows in India towards the year-end. He is also putting together a ‘Sitar for Mental Health’ album, which will be released next month. It will consist of five traditional ragas produced in a contemporary style. There are more collaborations in the pipeline. The versatile artist, the first sitarist to be invited to perform solo at the White House for the Diwali event hosted by President Biden, is also creating a “very cool” sitar, which should be out sometime this year. Rishab Rikhiram Sharma presents Sitar for Mental Health, a unique experience designed for relaxation and inner peace. Drawing from centuries of classical tradition while embracing innovation, the sitar's ancient sound is blended with modern electronic elements. With powerful soundscapes like Chanakya, The Burning Ghat, and Roslyn, from calm to power, experience all nine emotions. Join us for an evening dedicated to reflecting and reconnecting with a sense of inner calm through timeless voice and the sitar.