A major controversy regarding legacy and mentorship has emerged in the classical music scene in India. At the centre of the controversy are two major personalities: celebrated sitar exponent Anoushka Shankar and musician Rishab Rikhiram Sharma. The controversy revolves around whether the late legendary maestro, Pandit Ravi Shankar, formally accepted Rishab as his disciple.
The controversy started when Anoushka spoke about Rishab’s musical background in a recent interview. While she was quick to compliment him on his talent and innovative approach to the sitar, she debunked the long-standing rumor that Rishab was her father’s "last and youngest" disciple.
Anoushka clarified that while Rishab had a few casual lessons with Ravi, he had received training from one of the maestro’s senior disciples, Parimal Sadaphal. She explained that the "last disciple" rumor was a result of a miscommunication, as the two families have been close for several decades because of Rishab’s father, Sanjay Rikhiram Sharma, who is the family’s instrument maker.
The official response
In a detailed clarification, Rishab’s team released an official statement with photographs to set the record straight. As per the statement, Ravi personally asked for a meeting on January 3, 2012, at the Ravi Shankar Centre in New Delhi. It was at this private meeting, attended by both families, that the maestro allegedly performed the Ganda Bandhan ceremony, a traditional ritual that symbolises the formal initiation of a disciple.
The statement further adds that after listening to a recording of Rishab, Ravi decided to personally develop his potential. He allegedly held a lesson that lasted for several hours and bound the traditional red thread around 13-year-old Rishab’s wrist, stating that the spiritual tie would last for life.
Public acknowledgement
Rishab further explained a public event on February 10, 2012, at Kamani Auditorium. He states that Ravi introduced him on stage as his youngest disciple at what would be the maestro’s last public performance in India. After Ravi’s death in late 2012, Rishab was also invited by the maestro’s wife, Sukanya, to perform at a memorial meeting with other established disciples.
Although Rishab has since trained with several other prominent musicians and achieved international success, including becoming the first sitarist to perform a solo set at the White House, this statement serves to re-emphasise his dedication to the specific lineage he claims. For now, the classical music community remains divided on a matter that blends professional history with deeply personal tradition.
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