Rishab Rikhiram Sharma is on a ‘Sitar For Mental Health’ India tour, where he is winning over the audience with the power of neoclassical music, ancient ragas, and the fusion of traditional music with modern sensibilities. His listeners are resonating with his vision and are finding a sense of mental health relaxation through his music. Recently, Rishab opened up about the time when he dealt with depression, how sitar helped him during the phase, and how the healing aspects of music is a big part of his tour.
Rishab says, “I feel like conversation is very important. Sharing your story normalises something that’s stigmatised. For example, if I’m someone with a mic in my hand and everyone’s listening to me, I hold the responsibility to truthfully convey my story, and also talk about things that have worked for me. With no hesitation, I have been admitting that I was going through anxiety and depression, which I still do. It’s not like it’s a one-time affair. It’s as common as cold. Depression can hit you anytime. It’s just that we don’t know about it.”
He adds, “Though there is significant awareness about mental health, I feel people are still hesitant to talk about it freely. I feel like there are a few people who would look up to me and take my advice. But for me, playing sitar and engaging in music has been a game-changer. In fact, ‘Sitar For Mental Health’ Tour bridges traditional Indian music with awareness and helps listeners to calm down and relax. Music carries the capacity to heal, and that’s a big part of my tour, and the reason why I feel so connected with the sitar.”
“There’s a part of awareness that you have to make people aware of — if you’re not feeling a hundred percent, if you’re feeling low and sad, it’s completely okay. We have to normalise that reaching out for help is okay, because I did so as well. If someone looks up to someone else, they do influence them, then they need to use that position very responsibly and for the greater good,” he concludes.
Rishab’s shows have seen the presence of audiences from 18-80 years of age, who have not only experienced the magic of music, but were also left visibly moved by the end of the show. His music has also received standing ovations from attendees, which included Bollywood personalities and political figures. After holding sold-out shows in Delhi and Mumbai, Rishab is set to spread his magic across Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Indore, Bengaluru, and Kolkata.