New Delhi, Feb 27 (.) The Ravi Shankar Centre has issued an official statement addressing public claims about sitarist Rishabh Rikhiram Sharma’s connection with the late maestro Ravi Shankar, clarifying that several reports suggesting a formal guru-disciple relationship are inaccurate.
According to the Centre, on January 3, 2012, Sharma participated in an informal string-tying event with the legendary sitarist at the Centre in New Delhi. The statement emphasized that the occasion was not a formal “Ganda-Bandhan Ceremony” in the traditional sense and described it as entirely impromptu.
However, it clarified that the event was not conducted as a formal “Ganda-Bandhan Ceremony” according to traditional custom and was “entirely impromptu.”
The statement further noted that on February 10, 2012, Shankar attended a concert by Rishabh at Kamani Auditorium and introduced him to the audience, saying, “I have just had this new, wonderful young boy become my student, and just given him a few lessons.” The Centre emphasised that Shankar did not refer to him as a disciple at the concert or thereafter.
According to the Centre, between January 3 and March 9, 2012, Shankar, along with his senior disciple Parimal Sadaphal, gave Rishabh a few classes. After March 9, when Shankar returned to the United States, there were no further lessons, phone calls, or supervision. The sitar maestro passed away on December 12, 2012.
The statement asserted that “Any claim of prolonged, ongoing, or remotely supervised instruction by Guruji to Rishabh beyond 9 March 2012 is therefore incorrect.”
It also clarified that much of Rishabh’s structured musical training was conducted under Parimal Sadaphal, with additional guidance from another senior disciple, Shri Arun Bharat Ram.
Addressing the use of the term “disciple,” the Centre said, “In the Parampara of Indian Classical Music and the Centre, the word ‘disciple’ carries deep meaning. 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.”
The Centre also refuted claims regarding photographs circulating online, stating that an image said to have been taken at the Centre on November 30, 2012, could not be accurate as Shankar was in San Diego at the time and critically ill.
Additionally, it clarified claims about the “youngest” and “last” disciples of the maestro, naming Shubhendra Rao and Anoushka Shankar among the youngest to have trained under him from an early age, and Nishad Gadgil and Dr. Scott Eisman as his last disciples.
In its remarks, the Centre said it does not seek to diminish Rishabh’s talent but aims to correct “inaccurate timelines” and “misperceptions around the nature and amount of instruction given by Guruji,” as well as confusion surrounding the term “disciple.”
British-American musician and Pandit Ravi Shankar’s daughter Anoushka Shankar had earlier also clarified that Rishab Rikhiram was not Ravi Shankar’s last disciple.
In an April 2025 concert in New Delhi at Indira Gandhi Arena, Rishab Rihikram Sharma mesmerised the audience with his sitar rendition of the song Kal Ho Naa Ho.
. MI .