Ravi Shankar Centre Firmly Rejects Rishab Sharma's Disciple Assertion
In a definitive move to address ongoing claims, the Ravi Shankar Centre has released a comprehensive statement categorically rejecting sitarist Rishab Rikhiram Sharma's assertion that he was the disciple of the legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar. This clarification comes days after Anoushka Shankar, the maestro's daughter, publicly stated that her father was never Rishab's guru.
Detailed Timeline and Formal Rejection
The Centre's statement firmly dismisses Rishab's portrayal of himself as Ravi Shankar's disciple, let alone his youngest or last student. The organization meticulously laid out a clear timeline of events, directly challenging photographs previously shared by the musician and seeking to correct what it described as widespread misunderstandings regarding instruction and the true meaning of discipleship within the Indian classical tradition.
The Centre explicitly stated that the clarification was issued to "correct inaccurate timelines, wrong perceptions around the nature and amount of instruction given by Guruji, and confusion around the term disciple."
The Informal 2012 Ceremony Clarified
Detailing the circumstances of their first meeting, the statement noted, "On 3 January 2012, at the persuasion of Rishab's father, and due to affection for the young child, an informal string-tying took place at the Centre between Guruji and Rishab. Such ceremony was neither conducted as a formal Ganda-Bandhan Ceremony nor was it conducted according to traditional custom."
The Centre emphasized that this 'informal ceremony' lacked every essential element of a formal initiation. There was no priest present, no ceremonial thread prepared, and no official announcement made. The event was not attended by students, extended family members, or friends.
"For the record, other than Guruji and his wife, from the Centre only Guruji's one senior disciple, namely, Parimal Sadaphal was present. Guruji did not conduct a formal initiation discourse, and he did not conduct several hours of teaching that day. The mentioned ceremony was entirely impromptu. The event has been retrospectively amplified beyond what occurred," the statement clarified.
Concert Appearance and Health Deterioration
The Centre also addressed Ravi Shankar's appearance at Rishab's concert a month later. "On 10 February 2012, Guruji attended a concert by Rishab at Kamani Auditorium in a wheelchair, agreed to introduce him to the audience, and while doing so said 'I have just had this new, wonderful young boy become my student, and just given him few lessons.' Neither at the said concert nor at any time thereafter did Guruji call Rishab his disciple," it stated.
The note added a critical detail: during the concert itself, Ravi Shankar's health deteriorated significantly, after which he was unable to provide any meaningful instruction to Rishab.
Limited Instruction and Final Clarification
Between 3 January and 9 March 2012, the Centre stated that Ravi Shankar and Parimal Sadaphal gave Rishab only a "few classes," and not the prolonged sessions that have been claimed. Further lessons were conducted by Arun Bharat Ram, not by the maestro himself.
"On 9 March 2012, Guruji returned to the United States, and after that date gave no further lessons, phone calls, or supervision to Rishab. On 12 December 2012 Guruji passed away. Any claim of prolonged, ongoing, or remotely supervised instruction by Guruji to Rishab beyond 9 March 2012 is therefore incorrect," the statement read unequivocally.
The Centre also dismissed claims that Ravi Shankar had seen Rishab's YouTube videos before the ceremony or had chosen to mentor him on that basis, stating that no such viewing or decision ever took place.
The Profound Meaning of 'Disciple'
Addressing the broader philosophical issue, the Centre underlined that within the parampara of Indian classical music, the term 'disciple' holds profound and specific significance.
"It is not symbolic, and it is not established through an informal moment. It is a relationship that evolves over many years of guidance and shared commitment. A few lessons and a brief appearance in a concert/video cannot be considered equivalent to that level of formal, rigorous and immersive training and commitment," the note explained, reinforcing the traditional values of the musical lineage.
