13 April,2026 02:28 PM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondent
Rishab Rikhiram Sharma performed in Mumbai on April 12. Photo Courtesy: Special Arrangement
Indian sitarist Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, who performed for his fans in Kolkata, also paid tribute to legendary Indian singer Asha Bhosle, who passed away on Sunday, April 12, at 92; he presented a sitar rendition of âAbhi Na Jao Chhod Kar' during his performance.
With over 10,000 attendees gathered at Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, WBTP0, the performance honoured tradition and culture while celebrating the art of experimentation.
Produced by Team Innovation and District by Zomato, the 10-city 'Sitar for Mental Health India Tour' opened with its classic meditative opening that set the tone for an emotionally rich musical journey, with Gen Z hot favourite exploring intricate ragas ragas including 'Bihaag', 'Kedar', 'Tilak Kamod' and 'Shyam Kalyan' while weaving in his signature fusion style and lighting up the stage fashionably in bespoke Tarun Tahliani attire.
Armed with the SITARA, which he calls the next-generation electric sitar custom-created sitar by his father and master luthier Sanjay Sharma added a striking visual dimension, the performance saw him perform some of his biggest hits spanning original compositions like 'Shankara', 'Shiv Kailash', 'Burning Ghat', 'Belua' and 'Roslyn' to reimagined popular melodies including 'Harry Potter x Game of Thrones', alongside Bollywood classics like 'Kal Ho Naa Ho', 'Zara Zara' and 'Tumhi Dekho Naa' kept the audience deeply engaged.
As a special performance for his fans in Kolkata, he also performed âEkla Cholo', the timeless masterpiece by Rabindranath Tagore. The performance concluded with a powerful finale with 'Chanakya', 'Kautilya', 'Venkateswara' and 'Tandavam' that earned prolonged applause.
Following a remarkable run across Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Chennai, Ahmedabad, he landed in Kolkata before he travels to Chandigarh on April 17 and ends the tour in Delhi on April 19.
