In an exclusive Father’s Day conversation with Harshit Hundet, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of FACE Magazine, acclaimed sitar virtuoso Rishab Rikhiram Sharma reflects on family, legacy, gratitude, and the enduring influence of his father, Sanjay Sharma. As the torchbearer of one of India’s most celebrated musical lineages, Rishab opens up about the lessons that shaped him, the values that continue to guide him, and the profound bond that has defined his journey both as an artist and as a son.
Some legacies are built through achievement. Others are built through character, sacrifice, and the quiet wisdom passed from one generation to the next.
For FACE Magazine’s Global Father’s Day Cover Issue, we bring together a father and son whose relationship beautifully embodies those values. Beyond the music, beyond the global recognition, and beyond the legacy they represent, this is a story about family, gratitude, humility, and the enduring power of a father’s influence.
As the torchbearer of one of India’s most respected musical lineages, Rishab has captivated audiences around the world through performances that transcend entertainment and venture into healing, mindfulness, and spirituality. Yet behind the artist admired by millions stands a father whose influence has quietly shaped every note, every value, and every milestone.
In this exclusive Father’s Day conversation with FACE Magazine, Rishab reflects on the lessons that built him, the sacrifices that inspired him, and the legacy he hopes to carry forward.
The Gift Beyond Inheritance
When asked about the greatest influence his father has had on his life, Rishab’s answer comes without hesitation.
“The biggest thing my father gave both my brother and me was street smartness,” he shares.
Many of the lessons that seemed simple during childhood have become increasingly meaningful as adulthood unfolded. Today, navigating a complex world, Rishab recognizes the wisdom hidden inside those early conversations and remains deeply grateful for the guidance that prepared him for life beyond music.
Yet perhaps the most unique inheritance he received was not material, but musical.
Growing up around instruments, craftsmanship, and the intricate world of sound, Rishab inherited something extraordinarily valuable from his father—an ear.
“My father has an extraordinary ability to hear the smallest details,” he explains. “Because of him, I’ve developed a very sensitive ear for tuning and tone, and ultimately that allows me to create sounds that move people and help them heal.”
It is a gift that continues to shape his artistry today.
A Guru Before a Father
Among Rishab’s most cherished childhood memories is not a grand occasion or milestone, but a quiet moment at home.
He vividly remembers sitting cross-legged on the floor while his father sat nearby, introducing him to the basics of the sitar and opening the doors to the timeless world of ragas.
“I was around eleven years old,” he recalls. “It wasn’t just my introduction to an instrument. It was my introduction to a lifelong calling.”
That moment would become the foundation of a journey that would eventually take him across global stages while remaining rooted in tradition.
Values That Never Changed
Despite growing up around music and craftsmanship, Rishab emphasizes that the strongest lessons in his household were not artistic—they were moral.
Respect was non-negotiable. His parents taught him and his brother to welcome elders with humility, to serve guests with warmth, and to treat everyone with dignity.
In an increasingly fast-paced world, those values remain central to his life. “Hospitality and respect were never optional,” he says.
These lessons continue to influence not only his personal relationships but also the way he approaches his profession and public life.
Carrying a Legacy Without Pressure
For many children born into celebrated family traditions, expectations can become overwhelming. Surprisingly, Rishab experienced the opposite.
“My father never pressured me to carry the family legacy forward,” he reveals. Instead of imposing expectations, Sanjay Sharma allowed his son the freedom to discover his own path.
Naturally drawn to music, Rishab eventually chose to embrace the sitar. But while his father spent much of his life behind the scenes crafting instruments for legendary musicians and contributing to the tradition through craftsmanship, Rishab became the first in the family to emerge as a global performing artist.
In doing so, he honored tradition while creating an identity entirely his own.
Learning to Ignore the Noise
Success often attracts criticism as much as admiration. Fortunately, Rishab was prepared for that reality long before fame arrived.
“My father always told me that no matter how good your intentions are, there will always be people who try to bring you down,” he says. Because of those lessons, praise and criticism became secondary to purpose.
His father’s advice remains simple yet powerful: if your intentions are honest and your work is sincere, stay focused and let everything else fade into the background.
Rediscovering Fatherhood During Lockdown
Like many families, the lockdown of 2020 unexpectedly created an opportunity for reconnection. Growing up, Rishab remembers his father as a relentless workaholic whose life revolved around the workshop and family business.
The lockdown changed that. For the first time, father and son spent uninterrupted months together.
They cooked, built instruments, watched films, and took long walks. What could have been a difficult period became one of the most meaningful chapters of their relationship. Today, Rishab describes those months as some of his most treasured memories.
Humility as a Way of Life
As an artist celebrated worldwide, Rishab understands how easily success can become distracting. His father’s philosophy has always been rooted in humility.
“He reminds me that any gift given by God can be taken away the moment arrogance replaces gratitude.” That perspective keeps him grounded.
Whether standing before thousands of people on stage or spending time with family at home, gratitude remains the anchor that shapes his outlook on life.
Purpose Beyond Performance
For an artist whose music often touches themes of healing and spirituality, purpose extends far beyond applause. Whenever success, numbers, or public validation threaten to become the focus, both his parents remind him why he began.
“It’s about becoming a channel for something much bigger than yourself,” he says. That belief has transformed his understanding of music—not merely as performance, but as service.
Understanding Sacrifice
As children, we rarely understand the sacrifices our parents make. As adults, those sacrifices become impossible to ignore. Rishab recalls stories from his parents’ early years when they were building their business from the ground up.
His mother once told him that she and his father would split a single cup of tea to save money and reinvest every possible rupee back into the business.
At the time, the story seemed impossible to comprehend. Today, it represents one of the most powerful lessons of his life.
Looking back, he holds immense admiration for both his parents and the resilience they demonstrated while creating opportunities for the next generation.
Defining Legacy
For Rishab, legacy is not simply about fame, success, or recognition. It is about responsibility.
It is about carrying forward values, honoring where you come from, and creating something meaningful enough to make your family proud. Most importantly, it is about relationships. When future generations look back at his family’s story, he hopes they remember one thing above all else:
“We were inseparable.” Whether traveling the world or performing internationally, Rishab actively includes his parents in life’s experiences. Every journey becomes richer when shared with family.
And if one day his children and grandchildren are inspired to treat their parents with the same love, presence, and gratitude, he believes that may become his greatest achievement of all.
A Father’s Wisdom
For his son, Sanjay Sharma offers a message that perfectly captures the spirit of this Father’s Day issue:
“Never let success make you forget your values or your roots. Stay humble, keep learning, and remember that the greatest wealth you can leave behind is the goodness you bring into other people’s lives.”
For fathers everywhere, his message is equally profound:
“Children don’t become what we tell them to be; they become what they see us being every day. Lead with integrity, kindness, and patience, because your actions will become your family’s greatest legacy.”
FACE Magazine Exclusive Quotes
Rishab Rikhiram Sharma
“My father taught me that the greatest legacy isn’t wealth or success, but the values that quietly shape how you move through the world. If I leave behind anything meaningful, I hope it’s the same sense of gratitude, respect, and purpose that he gave me.”
Sanjay Sharma
“Never let success make you forget your values or your roots. Stay humble, keep learning, and remember that the greatest wealth you can leave behind is the goodness you bring into other people’s lives.”
Instagram:@sanjayrikhiram @rishabsmusic @sfmhofficial
