Rishab Rikhiram Sharma

Rishab Rikhiram Sharma is a distinguished Indian-American sitarist, music producer, and mental health advocate, celebrated for his innovative fusion of Indian classical music with contemporary genres. Born on September 17, 1998, in Delhi, India, he hails from the esteemed Rikhi Ram family of luthiers, renowned for crafting traditional Indian musical instruments. His father, Sanjay Sharma, a master luthier, was his first mentor, and Rishab later became the youngest and final disciple of the legendary sitar maestro, Pandit Ravi Shankar .​

Mental Health Advocacy

In 2020, Rishab founded the "Sitar for Mental Health" initiative, aiming to promote mental wellness through music therapy. This movement has grown into a global community, offering free music therapy sessions and collaborating with mental health experts. In June 2024, he made history by becoming the first musician to join the United Nations for mental health advocacy, representing India at the "We The Future: Reimagining The Future of Global Mental Health" summit .

Notable Performances and Recognition

• White House Performance: In 2022, Rishab became the first sitarist to perform solo at the White House during the Diwali celebration hosted by President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris.
• NRG Stadium, Texas: He performed solo in front of over 60,000 attendees at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, with an additional 500 million viewers watching live from home.
• Woodstock 50 Reunion: Rishab paid tribute to Pandit Ravi Shankar by performing at the Woodstock 50 Reunion, commemorating 50 years since the original festival.