Rishab Rikhiram Sharma Announces ‘Sitar For Mental Health’ Classical Music Tour Across India

February 7, 2025: Renowned musician Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, the youngest and last disciple of the legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar, has officially announced his much-anticipated classical music tour. Titled Sitar For Mental Health, the 10-city tour will cover various major cities across India, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Indore, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Jaipur, and Chandigarh, between April and May of 2025.

Rishab, in a press note, shared his excitement about the upcoming tour, stating, “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.”

The tour is presented and produced by Team Innovation, a cultural organization led by Mohit Bijlani, who emphasized the cultural significance of the event. Bijlani noted, “We stand at the threshold of a transformative chapter in India’s musical history. Classical music has transcended traditional boundaries, evolving into a dynamic force within mainstream culture. At Team Innovation Cultural, we understand that today’s audiences crave authentic and meaningful experiences. This tour embodies that fusion of tradition and innovation, demonstrating the enduring power and relevance of classical music in the 21st century.”

Rishab comes from a distinguished family of musical instrument makers, a legacy started by his grandfather in 1920 in Lahore, undivided India. He started playing the sitar at the young age of 10. Over the years, Rishab has earned a reputation for his virtuosity and dedication to classical music. In 2022, he had the honor of performing his Sitar For Mental Health set at the US President Joe Biden’s annual Diwali celebrations, a performance that gained significant recognition, even making it to the President’s Instagram account.

His influence in the music industry has continued to grow, and he made history by becoming the first sitarist of his generation to give a solo performance at the NGR Stadium in Houston, Texas. The concert attracted a live audience of over 60,000 people, with more than 500 million viewers tuning in from home. He has also performed at the Woodstock 50 Reunion, paying tribute to the legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar.

The Sitar For Mental Health tour promises to be a unique fusion of traditional Indian classical music and contemporary mindfulness, as Rishab continues to share the deep, emotional connection that ragas bring to listeners, while promoting the importance of mental health and emotional well-being.