Rishab Sharma to Debut Revolutionary LED-Enhanced Electric Sitar on National Tour
Neo-classical musician and acclaimed sitarist Rishab Rikhiram Sharma is set to make history by performing on India's first-ever LED-enhanced electric sitar during the upcoming India leg of his Sitar for Mental Health Tour 2026. This groundbreaking 10-city tour will showcase a pioneering instrument that represents a significant leap forward in both sitar design and contemporary classical music performance.
The Genesis of SITARA: A Modern Reinterpretation
The innovative instrument, named 'SITARA – The Next-Generation Electric Sitar', has been meticulously conceptualized and constructed by Rishab's father, master luthier Sanjay Sharma. This development marks a crucial advancement in the evolution of the traditional sitar, blending centuries-old craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology.
Designed as a thoughtful reinterpretation of the classical instrument, SITARA builds upon a rich lineage of experimental sitars developed by Sanjay and Manjul Sharma's historic instrument-making house, Rikhi Ram's Music. This legacy includes notable creations such as the Rik-E-Sitar and the iconic Studio Sitar, famously played by the legendary Pt. Ravi Shankar.
Bridging Tradition and Modernity
The new model seamlessly integrates modern sound design, enhanced portability, and innovative lighting technology while carefully preserving the authentic tonal character of the classical sitar. According to Sanjay Sharma, the instrument has been specifically developed to expand the sitar's role in contemporary performance contexts, particularly across film music, fusion genres, and global live productions.
"SITARA was created to give sitarists the ability to step into contemporary musical spaces where the electric guitar is often used," explains Sharma. "The idea was to enable sitar players to perform modern arrangements, especially in Bollywood, fusion, and world music, without needing to learn another instrument. While the acoustic sitar remains the soul of classical music, this instrument opens exciting possibilities for crossover and global performance."
Ergonomic Design and Practical Innovations
A defining feature of SITARA is its compact, ergonomic design, developed with modern touring musicians in mind. Unlike the traditional sitar, this instrument is lightweight and allows performers to play while standing, making it exceptionally well-suited for contemporary stage productions and dynamic live shows.
"We wanted to design something practical for today's performers," Sharma elaborates. "The instrument is compact and travel-friendly, with a collapsible hand-rest frame and a custom-built active pickup system featuring volume and tone controls that can run through amplifiers and processors. At the same time, when played clean through an amplifier, it still retains the tonal character of a traditional sitar."
Visual Spectacle Through LED Integration
The instrument incorporates an integrated LED interface with over 140 high-density LEDs, allowing the sitar to visually complement live performances through synchronized lighting effects that respond to musical elements.
"The high-density LED interface adds a visual dimension to the music," Sharma adds. "It was developed after Rishab's last India tour in 2024, as he wanted to enhance the visual experience for audiences during live shows. The lighting can adapt to the mood and theme of each performance, seamlessly blending sound and visual storytelling."
Practical Advantages for Modern Musicians
SITARA introduces several practical benefits for artists, including a silent-practice capability that enables musicians to rehearse through amplification systems without the acoustic projection of a traditional sitar. This feature addresses common challenges faced by traveling performers.
"One of the intentions behind the design was to make the sitar easier to live and travel with," notes Sharma. "Musicians can practice without disturbing others and carry the instrument far more easily than a traditional sitar."
Continuing a Century-Old Legacy
SITARA continues the distinguished century-old legacy of Rikhi Ram's Music, the historic instrument-making house founded in 1920. The establishment is renowned for iconic creations including:
- The Studio Sitar (played by Pt. Ravi Shankar)
- Microphonic Sitar
- E-rode (electric Sarod)
- Microphonic Santoor and Tabla
- Swarmandir (popularized by Daler Mehndi)
- Suroleen (Mandolin-Sarod hybrid)
- The Rik-E-Sitar
"No other sitarist has performed publicly on this instrument yet," Sharma emphasizes. "In the hands of a skilled musician, it can move fluidly between Indian classical ragas and Western genres such as blues, rock 'n' roll, and heavier fusion styles. The idea is not to replace tradition, but to expand what the sitar can do and how new audiences can experience it."
The Sitar for Mental Health Tour 2026
Following successful performances across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and the United Kingdom, Rishab Rikhiram Sharma will bring the 'Sitar for Mental Health Tour 2026' to 10 cities across India. The tour arrives at a significant moment when conversations around mental wellbeing, meditative soundscapes, and transformative live experiences are resonating powerfully with younger audiences.
This positions Sharma's music at the unique intersection of classical tradition, contemporary culture, and emotional healing through sound. The tour is scheduled between March and April 2026, with the following itinerary:
- Bengaluru
- Mumbai
- Pune
- Hyderabad
- Chennai
- Jaipur
- Ahmedabad
- Chandigarh
- Kolkata
- New Delhi
The tour is expected to draw between 10,000 to 15,000 attendees per city and is being promoted and produced by Team Innovation and District. This landmark musical journey represents not just a series of concerts, but a cultural movement that bridges technological innovation with artistic tradition while addressing important contemporary themes of mental health and emotional wellbeing through the transformative power of music.
