Rishab Rikhiram Sharma on mental health and why he's excited to play Sitar in Dubai

The youngest disciple of Pandit Ravi Shankar, Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, opens up about finding purpose through music, mental health advocacy, and his upcoming performance at Coca-Cola Arena

- Sidhi Kapoor

When Rishab Rikhiram Sharma plays the sitar, it's music to the ears. It heals and touches the soul and spirit. The man is legendary sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar's last and youngest disciple. In a candid chat with City Times, he shares what music means to him, how it healed and helped him deal with personal struggles and his excitement for the biggest meditation and music event in Dubai.

Ever since he launched the 'Sitar For Mental Health' initiative, there have been many success stories and moments that stand out for the artist. “Since I started Sitar for Mental Health in 2021, the initiative has grown far beyond what I could have imagined. Our audiences have tripled each year, reaching more than seven million people online and tens of thousands in person. On our most recent India tour, over 80,000 people attended across eight cities, making it the largest Indian classical inspired concert runs ever,” he said.