Rishab Rikhiram Sharma draws 10,000 to a meditative musical night in Kolkata

On Sunday evening, Rishab Rikhiram Sharma brought Kolkata to a standstill as he performed for Sitar for Mental Health, organised by Team Innovation, drawing a crowd of over 10,000 people.

The concert unfolded as more than just a musical showcase, evolving into a shared, deeply resonant experience that blended sound, emotion and mindfulness.

A meditative start, a thunderous finale The evening opened on a meditative note, setting the stage for an emotionally immersive musical journey. The Gen Z favourite moved seamlessly through intricate ragas like Bihaag, Kedar, Tilak Kamod and Shyam Kalyan, blending them with his signature fusion style.

The setlist traversed original compositions such as Shankara, Shiv Kailash, Burning Ghat, Belua and Roslyn, alongside inventive reinterpretations like Harry Potter x Game of Thrones and beloved Bollywood tracks including Kal Ho Naa Ho, Zara Zara and Tumhi Dekho Naa, keeping the audience captivated throughout. He also paid a heartfelt tribute to Asha Bhosle with a rendition of Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar, adding a nostalgic touch to the evening. As a special nod to Kolkata, he performed Ekla Cholo, the timeless creation by Rabindranath Tagore. The evening culminated in a powerful finale featuring Chanakya, Kautilya, Venkateswara and Tandavam, drawing prolonged applause and underscoring the city’s deep resonance with contemporary interpretations of classical music.