New Delhi's celebrated sitarist, Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, has broken new ground by becoming the first musician to join forces with the United Nations in advocating for global mental health awareness.
Fresh from a successful tour across multiple Indian cities, Sharma received a rare invitation from the UN to represent India at the prestigious ‘We The Future: Reimagining The Future of Global Mental Health’ summit.
The summit convened a diverse array of global leaders, philanthropists, social entrepreneurs, health experts, and mental health advocates to reinforce the United Nations' 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). Notably, the event also marked the proclamation of the first ‘Global Mental Health Leadership’ day, which will be celebrated on May 31 every year.
Hosted by Kunal Sood and attended by notable figures like the First Lady of Canada, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, and chef Vikas Khanna, the summit aimed to foster a world where mental health, effective leadership, and global well-being take precedence.
During the summit, Rishab Rikhiram Sharma shared his personal journey with mental health and highlighted how he leveraged his sitar prowess to promote the therapeutic influence of music.
Amidst the pandemic, Sharma, aged 25, initiated the widely acclaimed 'Sitar For Mental Health' series, demonstrating how the melodic strains of the sitar can induce healing, alleviate stress, and forge connections.
Reflecting on his historic moment at the UN, Sharma expressed deep humility and gratitude, emphasising the significance of mental health advocacy. He said, "A historic day at the UN for mental health. I was deeply honoured to represent traditional Indian music and advocate for mental health at the proclamation of ‘Global Mental Health Leadership Day’ held at the United Nations."
"As a youth leader on this expedition, I had the privilege to discuss my initiative: Sitar for Mental Health and its promising future. Performing my original composition, Tilak Kamod, in front of esteemed guests, and reflecting on the past four years of my journey in mental health advocacy, I am filled with a sense of humility, inspiration, and adventure. This day is definitely one of the highlights. Remember mental health is everything."
Sharma's commitment to mental health advocacy extends beyond the summit, as he is set to release his 'Sitar For Mental Health' EP later this year.
But who is he? Let's delve into his journey ...
In an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18, Sharma recounted his journey from being the last disciple of the late sitar virtuoso Pandit Ravi Shankar to his trailblazing efforts in mental health advocacy. He discussed his unique approach of merging classical ragas, Lo-Fi music, and Bollywood covers to reach diverse audiences and promote mental well-being.
Sharma's contributions have garnered international recognition, including a solo performance at the White House during the Diwali event in 2022, hosted by President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris.
His was adept with the guitar since age nine — a gift from his father who cherished musical instruments like precious treasures.
But fate had a different melody in store for him when a broken sitar arrived from abroad, stirring Rishab's curiosity. With his father's gentle encouragement, he ventured into the world of the sitar.
"I picked up the guitar when I was nine years old… My first encounter with the sitar was when a broken sitar shipment came from abroad. My dad has a lot of reverence for musical instruments, so he immediately fixed it and left it to dry. Sitar was a very hyped-up instrument," Rishab reminisced.
Under the guidance of his father, Rishab embarked on a journey of discovery, unravelling the intricate melodies of classical ragas and the soul-stirring tunes of Bollywood. Little did he know that this instrument would become not just his passion but also a beacon of hope for many.
Even as Rishab's skill blossomed, he had a chance meeting with the legendary sitar virtuoso, the late Pandit Ravi Shankar, who took him on as a pupil. This marked a turning point in Rishab's life, shaping him not only as a musician but also as a disciple.
"Guruji accepted me as his disciple after watching a performance of mine on YouTube, and then things became serious," Rishab reflected. "He was the sweetest person, but when he picked up the sitar, he was very strict."
Under Shankar's mentorship, Rishab's talent flourished, earning him recognition on a global scale. His dedication to both music and mental health advocacy caught the attention of dignitaries, including an invitation to perform at the White House.
"My green room was the China Room, where all the cutlery of every president, right from the first president, is showcased on the shelves all around," Rishab recalled.
Despite the intimidating grandeur of the White House, Rishab remained grounded, guided by his guru's principles. When confronted with requests that strayed from tradition, he has stood firm, choosing to adhere to the legacy of Indian classical music.
"When faced with unconventional requests, I initially declined. It wasn't their fault; they were unfamiliar with presenting Indian classical events. They asked if I could play standing up, then requested a welcome song for arriving guests. I refused because that's not our tradition. As an ambassador for Indian music, I often ask, 'What would Guruji do?'"
Fresh from a successful tour across multiple Indian cities, Sharma received a rare invitation from the UN to represent India at the prestigious ‘We The Future: Reimagining The Future of Global Mental Health’ summit.
The summit convened a diverse array of global leaders, philanthropists, social entrepreneurs, health experts, and mental health advocates to reinforce the United Nations' 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). Notably, the event also marked the proclamation of the first ‘Global Mental Health Leadership’ day, which will be celebrated on May 31 every year.
Hosted by Kunal Sood and attended by notable figures like the First Lady of Canada, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, and chef Vikas Khanna, the summit aimed to foster a world where mental health, effective leadership, and global well-being take precedence.
During the summit, Rishab Rikhiram Sharma shared his personal journey with mental health and highlighted how he leveraged his sitar prowess to promote the therapeutic influence of music.
Amidst the pandemic, Sharma, aged 25, initiated the widely acclaimed 'Sitar For Mental Health' series, demonstrating how the melodic strains of the sitar can induce healing, alleviate stress, and forge connections.
Reflecting on his historic moment at the UN, Sharma expressed deep humility and gratitude, emphasising the significance of mental health advocacy. He said, "A historic day at the UN for mental health. I was deeply honoured to represent traditional Indian music and advocate for mental health at the proclamation of ‘Global Mental Health Leadership Day’ held at the United Nations."
"As a youth leader on this expedition, I had the privilege to discuss my initiative: Sitar for Mental Health and its promising future. Performing my original composition, Tilak Kamod, in front of esteemed guests, and reflecting on the past four years of my journey in mental health advocacy, I am filled with a sense of humility, inspiration, and adventure. This day is definitely one of the highlights. Remember mental health is everything."
Sharma's commitment to mental health advocacy extends beyond the summit, as he is set to release his 'Sitar For Mental Health' EP later this year.
But who is he? Let's delve into his journey ...
In an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18, Sharma recounted his journey from being the last disciple of the late sitar virtuoso Pandit Ravi Shankar to his trailblazing efforts in mental health advocacy. He discussed his unique approach of merging classical ragas, Lo-Fi music, and Bollywood covers to reach diverse audiences and promote mental well-being.
Sharma's contributions have garnered international recognition, including a solo performance at the White House during the Diwali event in 2022, hosted by President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris.
His was adept with the guitar since age nine — a gift from his father who cherished musical instruments like precious treasures.
But fate had a different melody in store for him when a broken sitar arrived from abroad, stirring Rishab's curiosity. With his father's gentle encouragement, he ventured into the world of the sitar.
"I picked up the guitar when I was nine years old… My first encounter with the sitar was when a broken sitar shipment came from abroad. My dad has a lot of reverence for musical instruments, so he immediately fixed it and left it to dry. Sitar was a very hyped-up instrument," Rishab reminisced.
Under the guidance of his father, Rishab embarked on a journey of discovery, unravelling the intricate melodies of classical ragas and the soul-stirring tunes of Bollywood. Little did he know that this instrument would become not just his passion but also a beacon of hope for many.
Even as Rishab's skill blossomed, he had a chance meeting with the legendary sitar virtuoso, the late Pandit Ravi Shankar, who took him on as a pupil. This marked a turning point in Rishab's life, shaping him not only as a musician but also as a disciple.
"Guruji accepted me as his disciple after watching a performance of mine on YouTube, and then things became serious," Rishab reflected. "He was the sweetest person, but when he picked up the sitar, he was very strict."
Under Shankar's mentorship, Rishab's talent flourished, earning him recognition on a global scale. His dedication to both music and mental health advocacy caught the attention of dignitaries, including an invitation to perform at the White House.
"My green room was the China Room, where all the cutlery of every president, right from the first president, is showcased on the shelves all around," Rishab recalled.
Despite the intimidating grandeur of the White House, Rishab remained grounded, guided by his guru's principles. When confronted with requests that strayed from tradition, he has stood firm, choosing to adhere to the legacy of Indian classical music.
"When faced with unconventional requests, I initially declined. It wasn't their fault; they were unfamiliar with presenting Indian classical events. They asked if I could play standing up, then requested a welcome song for arriving guests. I refused because that's not our tradition. As an ambassador for Indian music, I often ask, 'What would Guruji do?'"
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