Music has long since been medicine for the soul. On 31 January, Dubai audiences will experience it in its purest form when internationally renowned sitar maestro Rishab Rikhiram Sharma brings his soul-stirring and transformative project, Sitar for Mental Health, to Coca-Cola Arena. This concert will not only mark Rishab’s long-awaited debut performance in the region but will also be a major highlight on the city’s cultural calendar for 2026, promising an immersive evening of music and mindfulness designed to spark conversations around mental well-being. Tickets for this exclusive experience are available on District: http://bit.ly/48GBAWe
Rishab Sharma—the last disciple of Pandit Ravi Shankar—is celebrated across the globe as one of the youngest torchbearers of the sitar, having performed to sold-out audiences in New York, London and India, along with collaborations with international artists across genres. The India leg of Sitar for Mental Health 2025 concluded with resounding success, selling over 70,000 tickets across 8 cities. With celebrities and dignitaries attending the packed shows in Mumbai and Delhi, the tour reaffirmed Rishab’s vision of blending music with healing, establishing it as one of the country’s most impactful live experiences.
Now, he brings this global momentum to the Middle East to showcase his majestic artistry of incorporating a profound blend of art and awareness, using the timeless beauty of the sitar to open conversations around mental health and healing and to reinvent how Indian classical music connects with younger listeners.
On a mission to showcase the instrument’s therapeutic qualities by redefining how Indian classical music resonates with modern audiences, Rishab shares, “Dubai is a global hub for wellness and cultural expression and is the perfect city to host my Middle East debut. The sitar has always been my way of finding peace and clarity, and I am excited to share that sanctuary with Dubai and remind people that even in chaos, there is always a melody that can heal and inspire.”
Sitar for Mental Health is a multi-sensory journey. Audiences can expect more than just music: an immersive evening of mindfulness and musical healing to create an atmosphere of serenity, balance, and reflection. From soulful ragas and high-energy improvisations to cross-genre experimentation, the performance will guide the audience through an emotional landscape that feels both ancient and futuristic.
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This concert is an invitation to wellness seekers, cultural enthusiasts, expats, and Dubai’s cosmopolitan mix to unite in a shared celebration of sound and healing. “Dubai is where the world comes together. To bring this tour here is special because this project is about collective healing, which is something every community can resonate with,” he adds.
Brought to you by leading live entertainment promoters Blu Blood, ‘Sitar for Mental Health’ by Rishab Rikhiram Sharma is presented by Pantheon Development and supported by Dubai Calendar and OPUS Entertainment. “This will be an experience that touches on one of the most important conversations of our time: mental health,” share Osman Osman and Shaaista Khan Osman, MD and CEO of Blu Blood. “We are honored to bring Rishab’s vision to Dubai and believe audiences will leave not only mesmerized by his artistry but also deeply moved by the purpose behind it.”