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Indian sitarist Rishab Rikhiram Sharma is set to take his acclaimed Sitar for Mental Health Tour across the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, with six performances scheduled at some of the world’s most prestigious venues. The international tour will begin on October 1 at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall before moving to North America for five additional concerts in November.
The Sitar for Mental Health Tour reflects Sharma’s effort to use Indian classical music as a medium for emotional connection, wellbeing and shared experience. The upcoming performances will bring his sitar music to audiences in London, Washington, D.C., Toronto, New York, Oakland and Los Angeles.
Rishab Rikhiram Sharma Sitar for Mental Health Tour Dates
The Rishab Rikhiram Sharma Sitar for Mental Health Tour will officially open on October 1 at Royal Albert Hall in London. The performance will mark the beginning of an international journey through major cultural and performing arts destinations.
Following the London concert, Sharma will travel to North America for five performances:
- October 1: Royal Albert Hall, London
- November 18: Capital One Hall, Washington, D.C.
- November 19: The Theatre at Great Canadian Toronto, Toronto
- November 21: Carnegie Hall, New York City
- November 23: Paramount Theatre, Oakland
- November 24: The United Theater on Broadway, Los Angeles
The schedule gives audiences across three countries an opportunity to experience Sharma’s distinctive approach to the sitar in some of the world’s renowned concert halls.
Music at the Heart of the Sitar for Mental Health Tour
The Sitar for Mental Health Tour is built around the idea of creating a closer relationship between the performer and the audience. Rather than maintaining a conventional distance between the stage and spectators, Sharma wants attendees to feel directly connected to the musical experience.
Speaking about the tour, Rishab Rikhiram Sharma said his intention is to dissolve the barrier between the artist and the audience and place attendees at the heart of the experience.
He also described the performances as his way of paying tribute to historic artistic venues and legendary musicians who have influenced his musical journey.
This philosophy gives the Sitar for Mental Health Tour a distinctive identity. The concerts are not positioned simply as conventional instrumental performances but as immersive experiences centred on music, connection and emotional expression.
London Opens the International Tour
Royal Albert Hall will host the opening performance of the Sitar for Mental Health Tour on October 1. The historic London venue has hosted generations of major performers and cultural events, making it a significant location for the beginning of Sharma’s international tour.
Opening the tour in London also represents an important moment for Indian classical music on an international stage. Sharma’s sitar performance is expected to introduce audiences to a contemporary presentation of the traditional instrument while retaining its cultural and musical foundations.
The London concert will be followed by the North American leg of the tour in November.
Five North American Performances
After the opening event in London, the Sitar for Mental Health Tour will continue with five performances across the United States and Canada.
The first North American performance will take place at Capital One Hall in Washington, D.C., on November 18. The following day, Sharma will perform at The Theatre at Great Canadian Toronto in Toronto.
The tour will then move to New York City for a November 21 performance at Carnegie Hall, one of the world’s most recognised concert venues. Two further performances will follow in California, with Sharma scheduled to perform at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland on November 23 and The United Theater on Broadway in Los Angeles on November 24.
The packed North American schedule highlights the growing international interest in Sharma’s music and his approach to presenting the sitar to contemporary audiences.
Rishab Rikhiram Sharma’s Musical Journey
Rishab Rikhiram Sharma belongs to a distinguished musical tradition and has emerged as a prominent young sitar performer. His work combines the foundations of Indian classical music with contemporary performance ideas, helping introduce the sitar to audiences beyond traditional concert settings.
The Sitar for Mental Health Tour builds on this approach by placing music and emotional wellbeing at the centre of the live experience.
The tour also follows Sharma’s recent international appearance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony. His performance at the major sporting event gave him another opportunity to present Indian music to a global audience.
Why the Sitar for Mental Health Tour Matters
The Sitar for Mental Health Tour is notable because it connects artistic performance with a broader conversation about mental wellbeing. Music has long been used as a means of emotional expression and personal reflection, and Sharma’s project focuses on creating an environment where audiences can engage deeply with the performance.
The tour’s name itself places mental health at the centre of the project. Through the sitar, Sharma aims to create moments of connection that go beyond the traditional boundaries of a concert.
At the same time, the performances celebrate Indian classical music on major international stages. Presenting the sitar at venues such as Royal Albert Hall and Carnegie Hall gives the instrument a prominent place within a global concert programme.
A Different Concert Experience
According to Sharma, removing the barrier between performer and audience is an important part of the Sitar for Mental Health Tour. His approach seeks to make listeners feel involved rather than simply observing a performance from a distance.
This concept could make the upcoming concerts particularly appealing to both long-time followers of Indian classical music and audiences discovering the sitar for the first time.
The choice of historic venues further strengthens the concept. Each location has its own musical heritage, allowing Sharma to connect his performance with the history of international live music while presenting his own artistic identity.
Global Reach of Indian Classical Music
The international schedule of the Sitar for Mental Health Tour also reflects the expanding global reach of Indian classical music. Performances in London, Washington, Toronto, New York, Oakland and Los Angeles will expose diverse audiences to the sound and traditions of the sitar.
For Indian music lovers living abroad, the tour provides an opportunity to experience a prominent Indian instrumentalist in major venues. For new audiences, it offers an introduction to an instrument with a rich musical history.
The combination of traditional artistry, contemporary presentation and a mental-health-focused message gives the tour a broad appeal.
Tour Begins October 1
With the first concert scheduled for October 1 at Royal Albert Hall, anticipation is expected to build around Sharma’s international performances. The North American leg will follow in November, concluding in Los Angeles on November 24.
The Sitar for Mental Health Tour therefore represents an important international chapter in Rishab Rikhiram Sharma’s musical career. From its opening night in London to its final performance in Los Angeles, the tour will bring the sitar to six major venues across three countries.
For Sharma, the journey is about more than performing music. It is an opportunity to create a deeper connection with audiences, honour the artistic spaces and musicians that shaped his journey, and explore the ability of music to bring people together.
As the Sitar for Mental Health Tour prepares to cross the UK, Canada and the US, Sharma’s upcoming performances are set to combine Indian classical tradition with an immersive and contemporary concert experience.
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