When Rishab Rikhiram Sharma plays the sitar, it’s pure auditory bliss, healing and touching both soul and spirit. As the youngest and final disciple of the legendary sitar maestro, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Rishab shares with City Times his deep connection to music, its healing abilities, and his excitement for an upcoming major meditation and music event in Dubai.
Since launching his ‘Sitar For Mental Health’ initiative, Rishab has witnessed numerous successes. “Since its inception in 2021, the initiative has surpassed my expectations. Our audience has tripled yearly, reaching over seven million people online and tens of thousands in person. On our latest India tour, over 80,000 attendees gathered across eight cities, marking it as one of the largest Indian classical music tours,” he explained.
Rishab’s ‘Sitar For Mental Health’ tour has spanned the globe, with performances across India, the USA, Canada, and South America. Now, he’s set to perform at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena on January 31, 2026. The concert, produced by top promoters Blu Blood, promises to be a sold-out event with over 10,000 fans.
Music’s healing power knows no boundaries. Rishab elaborates, “We collaborate with psychologists to adapt traditional ragas into therapeutic wellness tools, making the experience both musical and healing. The initiative raises awareness that mental health is as crucial as physical health, and it’s bringing the sitar back into mainstream media, including film and television.”
Open about his mental health struggles, Rishab shares how these experiences fueled his music and advocacy. “My battles with anxiety and depression led to Sitar for Mental Health. Growing up in India, music was omnipresent, yet its therapeutic potential was often overlooked. After my grandfather’s passing, therapy and my sitar helped me heal, revealing music’s medicinal power. This realization inspired me to establish a platform where music aids mental wellness. I am thrilled to bring this initiative to Dubai!”
Rishab is set to enthrall the Middle Eastern audience, blending art with awareness to foster conversations on mental healing. Through the timeless appeal of the sitar, he seeks to redefine Indian classical music for the younger generation, forging a deep connection. “Music bridges tradition and modernity, and bringing this journey to Dubai is special. The city embodies unity and innovation, values that resonate with my music,” he expressed.
Rishab last performed in Dubai in 2014 for a global convention, stating, “This marks my first solo concert here.”
Rishab aims to create a serene space in Dubai, allowing people to pause and connect amidst life’s hustle. “This Middle East debut isn’t just a concert; it’s a celebration of sound’s healing power in a city that embraces the world,” he concluded.
