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HELLO! India Exclusive: Ragas, riyaaz and refrains revisited with Rishab Rikhiram Sharma
Rooted in legacy yet driven by reinvention, this musical prodigy, armed with a sitar, has become a global phenomenon. We unravel how he’s equal parts traditionalist and trailblazer, blending ragas with rap, meditation with melody, and heritage with high fashion — one stirring performance at a time
Every once in a while, there are melodies that tug at your heartstrings for the sheer weight of what they symbolise. 'Hedwig’s Theme’ from the Harry Potter franchise, for one, is a tune that millennials hold sacrosanct. Then there’s the opening track of Game of Thrones that’s touted as one of the best shows ever written. But what happens when such iconic music finds new expression, say, in a sitar? It appeals to a whole new segment of admirers, while maintaining a firm grip on its existing fan-following. This, in a nutshell, describes the phenomenon that’s Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, the maestro taking contemporary sitar-trap from urban India to the biggest concert halls — and even the White House!
PHOTOGRAPHY: TARUN KALYANI
STYLING: GOPALIKA VIRMANI
HAIR & MAKEUP: SHADAB SHAIKH
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR: SHALINI KANOJIA
ASSISTANT COORDINATOR: SHISHIR SARKAR
ASSISTANT STYLIST: GRACE SONI
LOCATION COURTESY: WELLNESS CLUB, SHANGRI-LA EROS NEW DELHI
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