Henna-stained hands, soulful sitar music and a musician who wants to bring mental health conversations to walk out of their closely guarded rooms and become dinner table easily-digestible topic, Rishab Rikhiram Sharma is a 26-year-old artist who recently wrapped up his two-month-long all-India tour that had started&nbsp;on March 15. Rishab spoke exclusively about his mentor Pandit Ravi Shankar, converging music with mental health awareness and bringing a taste of Desi in his music.&nbsp;

Here are the excerpts from the exclusive chat:

Q: What has the India tour been like for you? Was the response as per your expectations?

A: The tour’s been great. It’s been wonderful to travel to 11 different cities. This is the most extensive tour that we've done which went on for two months. We did some really big shows with big gatherings. Most gatherings were from 800 to 1800 capacity large and we went around holding mass meditations so imagine 1500 people breathing together, inhaling and exhaling, chanting “Aum”. I got so much love after every show. I feel blessed to be doing what I do on this level.&nbsp;

<img alt="Rishab" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f450ba15-a552-4387-a13d-a7e8cfeab0ad" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/HORIZONS%20%285%29_2.jpg" />

As for expectations, I don’t have any. I just walk on stage with a clear blank slate. I’m open to whatever experience the universe has for me.

<h2>Rishab's mentor Pandit Ravi Shankar</h2>

Q: Who can you call the inspiration behind your music?&nbsp;

A: I have to say it's my Guru, Pandit Ravi Shankar. Whatever I know is because of him and his disciples who taught me after his demise. They showed me his way and it was not that they just taught me his compositions, but they taught me how to think like him. Guruji always said, “Don't copy me, but think like me, understand my thought process” and I feel like I have adapted and incorporated that into my music. Probably that is why a lot of people say that my music reminds them of Guruji.&nbsp;

Q: You performed in New Delhi last month. Since this is where you were born, you must have a strong association with the city. Was there anything new about Delhi this time around?&nbsp;

A: Delhi is my city and it's the largest show that we did – for about 1800 people. I like going big for Delhi because that is the only way I am in it wholeheartedly. Since it was Delhi, I sang so much – something I don’t do often. I sang “Shiv Ke Lasho Ke Vasi” which is a bhajan that's very close to my heart and I ended the show with “Tandavam” which is my rendition of the “Shiv Tandavam Stotram”.&nbsp;

<img alt="Rishab" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="89265fd4-8c2c-4d73-8a26-6dd0d9d0a8a6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/HORIZONS%20%286%29_1.jpg" />

I wanted to end the show on a high note and everyone loved it. Everyone had their flashlights out and it was just like a rockstar moment for me.&nbsp;

<h2>Sitar for Mental Health Awareness</h2>

Q: Since the event spotlights mental health, what is the driving force behind fusing classic music with such an important message?

A: It was during the pandemic when I started ‘Siddhartha for Mental Health’ in hopes that it would open up more conversation about mental health and I would get an opportunity to highlight the healing properties of Indian classical music. Having gone through my own struggles with it, I often share how ‘Siddhartha’ helped me cope with my grandfather's death. I was in depression when I lost him and I didn't take it very well. ‘Siddhartha’ along with therapy and counselling helped me cope with it.

I believe that charity begins at home. You have to have those conversations at home, those awkward conversations with your parents and your siblings about mental health. That's how you can normalise it because these are the people who are going to stand by you when you step out into the world.&nbsp;

Q: These days there is a growing discourse on how Artificial Intelligence can replace human talent. Do you think that’s possible anytime soon?&nbsp;

A: I don't think AI can replace what a traditional Indian musician can do because what you hear at the concerts is a rendition and a product of pure improvisation. It's very personal. I am a collection of everything that I've learned and heard. For example, my rendition of “Raag Tilak Kamol” would differ from any other sitar player.&nbsp;

So it's very personal. It’s not generalised and it comes from a very soulful place so I don't think AI can get close to it.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-kendall-jenner-opens-up-about-mental-health-struggles-had-a-rough-2-months-720038">Kendall Jenner opens up about mental health struggles: 'Had a rough 2 months'</a>

Henna-stained hands, soulful sitar music and a musician who wants to bring mental health conversations to walk out of their closely guarded rooms and become dinner table easily-digestible topic, Rishab Rikhiram Sharma is a 26-year-old artist who recently wrapped up his two-month-long all-India tour that had started on March 15.

Henna-stained hands, soulful sitar music and a musician who wants to bring mental health conversations to walk out of their closely guarded rooms and become dinner table easily-digestible topic, Rishab Rikhiram Sharma is a 26-year-old artist who recently wrapped up his two-month-long all-India tour that had started on March 15. Rishab spoke exclusively about his mentor Pandit Ravi Shankar, converging music with mental health awareness and bringing a taste of Desi in his music. Here are the excerpts from the exclusive chat: Q: What has the India tour been like for you? Was the response as per your expectations? A: The tour’s been great. It’s been wonderful to travel to 11 different cities. This is the most extensive tour that we've done which went on for two months. We did some really big shows with big gatherings. Most gatherings were from 800 to 1800 capacity large and we went around holding mass meditations so imagine 1500 people breathing together, inhaling and exhaling, chanting “Aum”. I got so much love after every show. I feel blessed to be doing what I do on this level. As for expectations, I don’t have any. I just walk on stage with a clear blank slate. I’m open to whatever experience the universe has for me. Rishab's mentor Pandit Ravi Shankar Q: Who can you call the inspiration behind your music? A: I have to say it's my Guru, Pandit Ravi Shankar. Whatever I know is because of him and his disciples who taught me after his demise. They showed me his way and it was not that they just taught me his compositions, but they taught me how to think like him. Guruji always said, “Don't copy me, but think like me, understand my thought process” and I feel like I have adapted and incorporated that into my music. Probably that is why a lot of people say that my music reminds them of Guruji. Q: You performed in New Delhi last month. Since this is where you were born, you must have a strong association with the city. Was there anything new about Delhi this time around? A: Delhi is my city and it's the largest show that we did – for about 1800 people. I like going big for Delhi because that is the only way I am in it wholeheartedly. Since it was Delhi, I sang so much – something I don’t do often. I sang “Shiv Ke Lasho Ke Vasi” which is a bhajan that's very close to my heart and I ended the show with “Tandavam” which is my rendition of the “Shiv Tandavam Stotram”. I wanted to end the show on a high note and everyone loved it. Everyone had their flashlights out and it was just like a rockstar moment for me. Sitar for Mental Health Awareness Q: Since the event spotlights mental health, what is the driving force behind fusing classic music with such an important message? A: It was during the pandemic when I started ‘Siddhartha for Mental Health’ in hopes that it would open up more conversation about mental health and I would get an opportunity to highlight the healing properties of Indian classical music. Having gone through my own struggles with it, I often share how ‘Siddhartha’ helped me cope with my grandfather's death. I was in depression when I lost him and I didn't take it very well. ‘Siddhartha’ along with therapy and counselling helped me cope with it. I believe that charity begins at home. You have to have those conversations at home, those awkward conversations with your parents and your siblings about mental health. That's how you can normalise it because these are the people who are going to stand by you when you step out into the world. Q: These days there is a growing discourse on how Artificial Intelligence can replace human talent. Do you think that’s possible anytime soon? A: I don't think AI can replace what a traditional Indian musician can do because what you hear at the concerts is a rendition and a product of pure improvisation. It's very personal. I am a collection of everything that I've learned and heard. For example, my rendition of “Raag Tilak Kamol” would differ from any other sitar player. So it's very personal. It’s not generalised and it comes from a very soulful place so I don't think AI can get close to it. Also read: Kendall Jenner opens up about mental health struggles: 'Had a rough 2 months'

Interview: Rishab Rikhiram Sharma on mentor Pandit Ravi Shankar and playing sitar for mental health

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Interview: Rishab Rikhiram Sharma on mentor Pandit Ravi Shankar and playing sitar for mental health