Rishab Rikhiram Sharma. Photo: Courtesy of the artist
Sitarist and composer Rishab Rikhiram Sharma is taking his inventive approach to Indian classical music on the road, as part of a Sitar for Mental Health tour that travels to 10 cities in April and May 2025
Sharma, the last protégé of the legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar and a scion of New Delhi’s renowned Rikhi Ram musical instrument business, has reportedly sold over 50,000 tickets already and has now added a second Mumbai concert on Apr. 13, 2025 and will be playing in a bigger venue than originally planned at his kickoff show in New Delhi on Apr. 6, 2025.
As part of the Sitar For Mental Health India Tour, Sharma will perform in New Delhi (Apr. 6), Mumbai (Apr. 11 and 13), Pune (Apr. 18), Ahmedabad (Apr. 20), Bengaluru (Apr. 27), Jaipur (May 2), Hyderabad (May 4), Indore (May 9), Chandigarh (May 11) and Kolkata (May 18).
Sharma said in a statement when the tour was first announced in early February, “We are witnessing a fascinating cultural shift. Ancient ragas are resonating with contemporary listeners in profoundly new ways. Classical music isn’t just surviving in the digital age; it’s thriving. Young people are increasingly drawn to the transformative power of these age-old melodies, recognizing the emotional depth and resonance they offer, often absent in much of today’s music.”
A press release states that Sharma is likely to perform tracks such as “Shiv Kailash,” “Chanakya” and “Tandavam” as part of a 120-minute set that pairs sitar with “innovative sound healing techniques.”
The tour is produced by Team Innovation and District by Eternal. Team Innovation’s co-founder Mohit Bijlani said in a statement about the response for Sharma’s tour, “We knew this concept was special, but the manner in which the audience has embraced ‘Sitar for Mental Health’ has exceeded all expectations. The speed at which tickets sold out is a testament to the power of music therapy. Our goal with this tour is to not only showcase the beauty of the sitar but also to open a dialogue about mental health. The incredible demand for tickets shows that this conversation is more important than ever and endeavor to explore even more ways to bring the healing power of music to communities across the country.”
District by Eternal’s founder and chief operating officer of events Kunal Khambhati adds in his statement, “The overwhelming response to Rishab Rikhiram Sharma’s ‘HSBC Presents Sitar for Mental Health’ tour powerfully demonstrates the evolving cultural landscape in India and the growing desire for experiences that seamlessly blend artistic brilliance with well-being.”
Get Rishab Rikhiram Sharma tour tickets here.
Rishab Rikhiram Sharma – Sitar for Mental Health India Tour 2025
New Delhi – Sunday, 6 April 2025
Mumbai – Friday, 11 April 2023
Mumbai – Sunday, 13 April 2025
Pune – Friday, 18 April 2025
Ahmedabad – Sunday, 20 April 2025
Bengaluru – Sunday, 27 April 2025
Jaipur – Friday, 2 May 2025
Hyderabad – Sunday, 4 May 2025
Indore – Friday, 9 May 2025
Chandigarh – Sunday, 11 May 2025
Kolkata – Sunday 18 May 2025
Leave a Reply