Rishab Rikhiram Sharma: People resonate with the idea of healing with music

On April 7, World Health Day, sitarist Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, who advocates mental health via music, is set to perform in Delhi. Sharma, the last disciple of late sitar virtuoso Pandit Ravi Shankar, is also working on going global with his upcoming tour. In a candid conversation with us, the sitarist and music producer, born in Delhi to the renowned Rikhi Ram family of luthiers, opens up about mental health and discusses the profound impact music can have on healing.

Sharma, who recently performed at the White House, shares, “I wanted to share my story because I thought about using my voice, which is my sitar, to make noise about mental health. Of course, we’re trying to promote Indian classical music as a coping mechanism for people to uplift themselves. But in severe cases, one should reach out for professional help. Music alone would not make you feel better”, adding, “But in some milder cases, it does help. If you’re having a bad day, listen to a raga and you will feel better. A big number of people have testified to this (healing phenomenon).”

Sharma started his mental health journey when his grandfather passed away during pandemic. He says,“In 2020, I almost gave up playing the sitar and fell into depression. But I found a way to cope with a combination of counselling and music,” adding, “I used social media as an outlet for both my music and emotions. Not only did that help me heal, but I also realised how people were listening to me and resonated with the idea of healing with music.”

He continues how this journey led him towards finding a community of his own, “This process snowballed into a huge community, where likeminded people came along to talk about music and mental health... We talk about the subject because it is the only way you can destigmatise it — through conversation and open dialogue.”