Rishab Sharma debuts next-gen electric sitar

Neo-classical musician and sitarist Rishab Rikhiram Sharma is set to introduce a groundbreaking instrument during the India leg of his upcoming Sitar for Mental Health Tour 2026—a next-generation electric sitar enhanced with LED technology. Marking a first of its kind in the country, the instrument, titled ‘SITARA – The Next-Generation Electric Sitar’, has been envisioned and crafted by master luthier Sanjay Sharma, signalling a new direction in the evolution of the sitar within contemporary music. Conceived as a modern reinterpretation of the classical instrument, SITARA builds on a legacy of innovation from Rikhi Ram’s Music, led by Sanjay and Manjul Sharma. Earlier experimental designs such as the Rik-E-Sitar and Studio Sitar laid the groundwork, while this latest version integrates advanced sound engineering, portability, and visual elements—without losing the tonal depth associated with the traditional sitar. The aim is to position the instrument within newer performance spaces, from film music and fusion to global live productions. Sharing the idea behind the instrument, Sanjay Sharma explained that SITARA was developed to help sitarists seamlessly enter contemporary musical environments often dominated by electric guitars. The goal, he noted, was to allow artists to perform modern compositions—across Bollywood, fusion, and world music—without stepping away from their primary instrument. While the acoustic sitar continues to remain central to classical traditions, this version opens up avenues for crossover and experimentation. One of the defining features of SITARA is its ergonomic and travel-friendly design. Unlike the traditional sitar, it is lightweight and allows musicians to perform while standing, making it more adaptable to contemporary stage setups. Built with touring artists in mind, the instrument includes a collapsible hand-rest frame and a custom active pickup system with volume and tone controls, enabling it to run through amplifiers and processors while retaining its signature sound. Adding a visual layer to the performance is an integrated LED interface, featuring over 140 lights that sync with the music. Developed after Sharma’s previous India tour in 2024, the lighting system enhances the live experience by adapting to the mood and flow of each set—blending sound with visual storytelling in real time. The instrument also addresses practical challenges faced by musicians on the move. With a silent-practice capability, artists can rehearse through amplification without the acoustic projection of a traditional sitar, making it easier to practice and travel without constraints. SITARA continues the century-old legacy of Rikhi Ram’s Music, an institution founded in 1920 that has been behind several iconic innovations in Indian instruments, including creations associated with Ravi Shankar. With this latest development, the intent is not to replace tradition, but to expand its possibilities—allowing the sitar to move fluidly across genres, from classical ragas to blues, rock, and experimental fusion. Following a successful international run across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and the United Kingdom, Sharma will bring his Sitar for Mental Health Tour 2026 to 10 Indian cities between March and April. The tour will travel through Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Kolkata, and New Delhi, drawing large audiences for performances that blend music with themes of mindfulness and emotional wellbeing. Arriving at a time when conversations around mental health and immersive live experiences are gaining momentum, the tour places Sharma’s work at a unique intersection—where classical tradition meets contemporary culture, and music becomes a medium for reflection, connection, and healing.