MELBOURNE: TEG Live is proud to present internationally acclaimed sitarist Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, bringing his celebrated live experience Sitar for Mental Health to Australia for two special performances in January 2027.

Rishab will appear at the Sydney Opera House as part of Sydney Festival on Friday 22 January, followed by Festival Hall, Melbourne, on Saturday 23 January.

Born into India’s renowned Rikhi Ram family of instrument makers, Rishab emerged as a sitar prodigy, with his early musical development shaped by his father, master luthier Sanjay Sharma, and guidance from the late Pandit Ravi Shankar. Often billed as the maestro’s last disciple, Rishab has become one of the leading contemporary voices of the sitar, introducing Indian classical music to a new generation of audiences around the world.

His career has included performances at the White House and before more than 60,000 people at Houston’s NRG Stadium, alongside sold-out international tours across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

On 1 October 2026, Rishab performed at London’s Royal Albert Hall, with forthcoming appearances at New York’s Carnegie Hall on 21 November, Sydney Opera House on 22 January and Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena on 30 January further cementing his place on some of the world’s most celebrated stages.

The origins of Sitar for Mental Health are deeply personal. During the pandemic, Rishab experienced his own struggles with anxiety and depression, turning to the sitar as a source of comfort and emotional expression. What began as a personal refuge gradually developed into a global movement, using music to encourage conversations around mental health and create moments of reflection and connection.

The scale of that movement was demonstrated in 2026, when Rishab returned to India for a landmark 10-city tour, drawing over 100,000 fans across Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, New Delhi and Kolkata.

The tour marked a significant milestone for the artist, with a new generation of listeners embracing the intersection of Indian classical music, cultural identity and mental wellbeing.

More than a conventional classical concert, Sitar for Mental Health brings centuries of musical tradition into a contemporary live setting. Through expressive sitar performances, intricate melodies and a contemplative atmosphere, Rishab creates an experience that invites audiences to slow down and connect with the emotional depth of the music.

At the heart of the project is Rishab’s commitment to preserving the traditions of the sitar while making Indian classical music accessible to audiences who may be experiencing it for the first time. His work has helped introduce the instrument to a younger, increasingly global audience, demonstrating its enduring relevance in a contemporary musical landscape.

Now, Australian audiences have the opportunity to experience Sitar for Mental Health live for two nights only, as Rishab brings his extraordinary musical journey to the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne’s Festival Hall.

Sitar for Mental Health – Australia 2027

Friday 22 January 2027 | Sydney Opera House, Sydney (Sydney Festival)

Saturday 23 January 2027 | Festival Hall, Melbourne

General public tickets on sale Wednesday 11 November 2026 @ 11am AEDT

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: teglive.com.au

For all press-related enquiries, contact:

AE CREATIVE COMMUNICATIONS

Aisling Brady

M: +61 424 520 345

aisling@aeacreativecomms.com.au

ABOUT RISHAB RIKHIRAM SHARMA

Rishab Rikhiram Sharma is an internationally acclaimed Indian sitarist and mental health advocate who has emerged as a leading voice in bringing Indian classical music to contemporary audiences.

Born into the renowned Rikhi Ram family of instrument makers, Rishab grew up surrounded by the traditions of the sitar, carrying forward the legacy of his father, master luthier Sanjay Sharma. A sitar prodigy who received early guidance from the late Pandit Ravi Shankar, he is often billed as the maestro’s last disciple.

His career has included performances at the White House and Houston’s NRG Stadium, with a growing international itinerary spanning London’s Royal Albert Hall, New York’s Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House and Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena.

During the pandemic, Rishab’s personal experiences with anxiety and depression inspired the creation of Sitar for Mental Health, a project exploring the relationship between music, mindfulness and emotional wellbeing.

What began as a personal initiative has since grown into an international touring movement, culminating in a landmark 10-city India tour in 2026 attended by over 100,000 fans.

Through Sitar for Mental Health, Rishab continues to honour the heritage of Indian classical music while introducing the extraordinary sound of the sitar to a new generation of listeners.