Rahul Sharma to open Kala Ghoda Fest with a fusion concert

Santoor maestro Rahul Sharma will headline the curtain raiser for the 26th Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (scheduled to take place from Jan 31–Feb 8, 2026), on October 12 at NCPA. “This concert is a celebration of the universality of music, rooted in the soulful richness of Indian classical traditions, yet resonating across borders.

It is about creating a space where melodies can heal, inspire, and unite us all,” said Rahul Sharma.

The son of the legendary Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Rahul has released over 70 albums, collaborated with Grammy Award-winning musicians, and created Bollywood milestones with recordings alongside Lata Mangeshkar and Amitabh Bachchan. He will be joined on stage by an ensemble of leading musicians including Ojas Adhiya on tabla, Vinayak Pol on drums, Avinash Chandrachud on keyboard, and Amit Gadgil on bass guitar.

Brinda Miller, the Festival Director of the Kala Ghoda Association, said, “As we step into our 26th edition, our mission is to keep Kala Ghoda’s heartbeat alive as a vibrant hub of art and culture. This fusion concert is more than a performance — it is a symphony of support, a call to action for patrons, collaborators, and audiences to come together in safeguarding our shared heritage.”