In the storm of viral social media reels, Rishab Rikhiram Sharma’s sitar renditions provide a soulful calm. His “classicool” music breaks the cacophony with its pacifying tempo, making you cease, hearken to and soak within the magic of music. It is in these moments that the 24-year-old inches nearer to what he has got down to obtain – utilizing his ardour for music for the aim of spreading psychological well being consciousness. Rishab, the final disciple of late sitar virtuoso Pandit Ravi Shankar, has taken his Sitar for Mental Health experiences offline – even to the White House, reintroducing the sound of Indian classical music to folks as a transformational device for the thoughts.

Music is in his blood, fairly actually. As the fourth era of the famed Rikhiram household of luthiers, Rishab’s tryst with music occurred early in life.

“I was born into this… being surrounded by musical instruments, watching the construction of musical instruments, watching my dad tie frets. I used to come to the store after school, and take a nap. Often, I would wake up to the beautiful sound of music or my dad hammering the frets. It was very interesting to me that so much noise goes into making something so beautiful,” he says on a reflective observe.

HealthPhotographs caught up with the New York-based Rishab Rikhiram Sharma within the midst of his whirlwind India tour, on the household’s musical instrument retailer in New Delhi. While the partitions and glass cupboards showcased the household’s wealthy musical associations, Rishab stood tall together with his fashionable but culturally-rooted concepts to creating a distinction together with his artwork.

After all, the health benefits of music aren’t unknown. It not simply enhances temper and emotional well being, however its therapeutic energy can be harnessed to deal with sure illnesses. For Rishab, music has been his coping mechanism to battle phases of tension and grief. From classical ragas and Lo-Fi music to covers for standard Bollywood songs and basic theme songs of Pink Panther and Game of Thrones, there’s so much that he does!

Read on for excerpts from the HealthPhotographs interview with Rishab Rikhiram Sharma on Sitar for Mental Health.

Q. What was to your first tryst with music?

Rishabh Rikhiram Sharma: As part of the household custom, all youngsters undergo Indian classical vocal classes. My father put each my brother and I for these classes. I picked up the guitar after I was 9 years previous… My first encounter with the sitar was when a damaged sitar cargo got here from overseas. My dad has a variety of reverence for musical devices, so he instantly fastened it and left it to dry. Sitar was a really hyped-up instrument. I had cooked up tales in my head about the way it requires you to be a really pure particular person to play a sitar. I gained’t name sitar the forbidden fruit, however it was at all times so overestimated so I at all times felt I’m not prepared for it. One day I used to be seeing the sitar, and I requested my father, ‘May I try it?’. He was open to it. Within minutes, I figured the Sargam and he was like, “I see you, your lessons start from tomorrow.” My dad grew to become my first trainer.

Q. When did the sitar coaching get severe?

Rishabh Rikhiram Sharma: When I went to Guruji (Pandit Ravi Shankar), he would spend hours with me. That’s after I realised that such an enormous character and dignitary was spending time educating me and I have to take the duty to take this ahead.

The strain is frightening. As a toddler, I used to be taking it fairly calmly as I used to be immature. I didn’t perceive how large of a duty it’s that I’m carrying my household’s custom on one shoulder and my Guruji’s custom on the opposite. One is making devices and the opposite is taking part in them. As I get older, I’ve to be very aware of how I current music of what I play.

Q. Tell us about Sitar for Mental Health.

Rishab Rikhiram Sharma: With Sitar for Mental Health, I’m attempting to generate extra consciousness, extra conversations, to destigmatise and simply speak about psychological well being on a human foundation. It’s not about man or lady; psychological well being is one thing that considerations everybody. No one’s immune from psychological well being points.

Q. But there occurs to be a larger stigma round males psychological well being points. Expressing it’s typically seen as a weak point, isn’t it?

Rishab Rikhiram Sharma: I was that man who regarded down upon psychological well being like that. But I needed to study it the onerous approach as a result of I went via my very own episodes of anxiety and depression. Ultimately, it’s a must to answerable for your personal psychological well being as a lot as your bodily well being. It is equally essential, if no more.

Watch the total HealthPhotographs interview with Rishab Rikhiram Sharma right here!

Q. When did you realise that sitar is your coping mechanism?

Rishab Rikhiram Sharma: Ever since I used to be a toddler, sitar has been my coping mechanism. After any unhealthy day at college, I’d come dwelling, follow it out and let my feelings move. But it didn’t come to my conscience what I used to be feeling or how I used to be reacting to it. I used to be at a zenith after I realised what was taking place to me and I sought assist from a therapist. I wasn’t taking part in a lot and wasn’t training the sitar sufficient. But after I went again to training it, I realised sitar is my joyful place and music is my remedy.

I’m additionally grateful for the help system I’ve. My family and friends members supported that I search assist. When you don’t really feel good, see somebody. Don’t be shy to succeed in out for assist. It solely makes you stronger, and doesn’t make you look weak.

Q. What would you inform ladies about the way to deal with a person battling psychological well being points?

Rishab Rikhiram Sharma: I feel some folks could name it mansplaining (laughs). Well, when somebody goes via one thing – it’s a really icy floor. You typically don’t know the way to manouvre. Just watch out together with your phrases. Keep a test on the way you speak or the way you say issues. The most you are able to do for somebody who’s anxious or depressed is simply be there for them and make your presence felt. You can’t repair them. Don’t count on your self to repair them. Just give them love and reassurance. And whenever you see one thing is getting out of hand, go away it to the professionals.

Q. What do you do whenever you’re not taking part in the sitar?

Rishab Rikhiram Sharma: I’m a reasonably boring particular person. I’m at all times surrounded by music. It is my absolute life. If I’m not taking part in the sitar, I’m making music, producing music, I’m collaborating, making devices, designing covers for my music or garments I wish to put on after I play music. Everything is round music.