Hailing from a lineage of luthiers and mentored by the legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar, Rishab Rikhiram Sharma effortlessly mastered the sitar. His journey took a singular flip as he began integrating psychological well being advocacy into his performances. After touring throughout the United States and Canada, the New York-based 26-year-old is in India on a multi-city tour showcasing the ‘Sitar For Mental Health’ music sequence. After masking cities like Chennai, Jaipur, Goa AND mUMBAI, Rishab is ready to journey to New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Chandigarh throughout a span of three months starting on March 15, 2024.

“I’ve found that music has a unique power to connect people emotionally and spark important conversations, so I’m using my identity as a musician to facilitate those discussions. My goal is to create a space where people feel comfortable opening up about their struggles and seeking support if needed, while experiencing the beauty and healing power of music,” says Rishab who drew upon private expertise in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic when he confronted challenges with psychological well being, to develop a technique of utilizing Indian classical music to advertise psychological wellbeing. His journey of looking for remedy and experiencing its optimistic impression made him undertake an method that suited his live shows.

Music issues

How do the music and the thoughts synchronise? Rishab explains: “I’ve been incorporating elements of mindfulness and introspection into my sitar performances. I create a serene atmosphere, inviting the audience to immerse themselves in the music and the present moment. Then, as I play, I weave in themes of resilience, healing, and inner peace through the melodies. Additionally, I take breaks during the performance to speak about mental health, sharing personal experiences and insights. I talk about the importance of seeking help, breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness, and practising self-care.”

Rishab’s transition from India to the US occurred step by step over time, largely influenced by his father’s frequent visits to the US for lectures on Indian classical music and musical instrument demonstrations. Rishab usually accompanied his father throughout these journeys, collaborating in demonstrations on the sitar and different devices. His publicity to the US from a younger age made the cultural shift much less daunting for him.

Being a luthier

Given that his father’s clientele was primarily within the US and Canada, to develop their musical instrument enterprise, they determined to arrange a store in New York below the title as his father, Sanjay Rikhiram Sharma. They additionally established a faculty there. As Rishab pursued his faculty schooling at Queens College, City University of New York, majoring in manufacturing and economics, he additionally immersed himself within the numerous musical panorama of New York City. “This exposure enriched my musical experiences and provided me with opportunities to record various musical genres, from wind quartets to Jewish bands, and to work as a studio engineer and teaching assistant under my professor.”

Rishab agrees that having experience in each music and luthiery can certainly present a singular benefit in mastering an instrument. “Understanding the intricacies of how an instrument is crafted and how its components interact can deepen one’s comprehension of its capabilities and limitations. This knowledge can directly translate into producing the best possible sound for various musical applications,” he says.

Magic of mehendi

The viewers at his live shows can’t miss the gorgeous and complicated sample of mehendi adorning his palms. It provides magnificence to the present whereas additionally difficult gender norms. “My mehendi application is inspired by Mughal paintings. I usually apply two days before my performance. In mehendi, I found a middle ground between cultural expression and the permanence of tattoos. It allows me to explore different designs for various occasions without the long-term commitment associated with tattoos. I design my kurtas, again, with a desire to break the monotonous dressing by the classical musicians,” he laughs.

Recalling his affiliation with Ravi Shankar, who was near his household, Rishab says, “I began learning from him at the age of 11 and spent two intensive years under his tutelage. Guruji, as we affectionately called him, had a unique routine of dividing his time between the US and India, spending six months in each place. Whenever he was in town, it felt like a festival every day, with people bringing sweets and gifts to honour him. Despite his immense musical stature, Guruji had a warm and humorous personality. He would share jokes, both veg and non-veg, creating fun moments amidst the seriousness of our musical pursuits.”

As for the remainder of his tour, Rishab says, “Rest assured, it will be an intriguing and memorable event. We’re finalising the details before announcing the tickets, but I promise it will be a beautiful experience for all involved.”

The tour is open to the general public, with tickets obtainable by means of Zomato Live. The logistics embody numerous exhibits, starting from intimate gatherings with round 150 individuals to bigger occasions accommodating as much as 1800 attendees. Ticket costs are stored inexpensive, with choices beginning as little as ₹300.