Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, neo-classical musician and sitarist, is all set to unveil India’s first LED-enhanced electric sitar during the India leg of his upcoming Sitar for Mental Health Tour 2026. The instrument, titled SITARA - The Next-Generation Electric Sitar, will make its public debut as Sharma performs across 10 Indian cities between March and April.
The pioneering instrument has been built by master luthier Sanjay Sharma, Rishab’s father, beginning a new chapter in the evolution of the sitar within contemporary music.
Designed as a modern reinterpretation of the classical sitar, SITARA blends traditional tonal qualities with advanced sound engineering, portability, and stage lighting technology.
The instrument builds upon earlier experimental models created by the Sharma family’s instrument-making house, Rikhi Ram’s Music, including the Rik-E-Sitar and the Studio Sitar. Explaining the vision behind the instrument, Sanjay Sharma said the goal was to enable sitarists to perform in contemporary musical environments. “SITARA was created to give sitarists the ability to step into contemporary musical spaces where the electric guitar is often used,” he said. “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.”
Unlike the traditional sitar, which is typically played while seated, the new instrument is lightweight and allows performers to play while standing.
Another interesting element is the integrated LED interface. “The LED interface adds a visual dimension to the music,” Sanjay Sharma said. “The lighting adapts to the mood and theme of each performance, blending sound and visuals to create an immersive experience for audiences.”
The tour will cover 10 cities, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Kolkata, and New Delhi. (Agencies)
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