One of the most thoughtful initiatives in the field of mental health has been introduced by Rishabh Sharma, a neoclassical musician and sitar player. His initiative, ‘Sitar for mental health’, combines music, art and well-being. The focus behind this initiative is to promote awareness and dialogue around mental health. Sitar can help improve mental health as the sound created by its strings produces a calming effect on the mind, inducing a state of relaxation, similar to that of guided meditation.
Indian classical music is known for the healing and balance that accompany it. The variety of sound frequencies produced by the sitar can stimulate the brain positively and also help in regulating the production of stress hormones. A major recent development of this initiative is its partnership with a leading healthcare facility, Adayu. This is the first of its kind collaboration where a music-centred well-being program in a clinical care environment will be introduced. The leading hospital chain will use music as a complementary tool for mental health.
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Sitar for Mental Health
This is a multi-sensory platform that uses immersive technology to blend Indian classical music with mindfulness, breathing exercises, guided reflection and more open conversations about emotional well-being. Started by Rishabh Rikhira Sharma, it initially began as intimate live sessions on social media platforms during the pandemic. Now, it has grown into a global movement for mental health. Rishabh Sharma tours countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, and India. People in thousands attend his live concerts. He reaches to millions through his videos and live streams. Rishabh Sharma says that if music can help even one person to feel understood, calm pr encouraged to seek help, then it has served a purpose far beyond performance.
Read More: The Neurobiology of Music and Emotions
Adayu
Adayu is an initiative by Fortis Healthcare. It is a specialised mental health treatment centre that focuses on providing world-class medical care in a warm, empathetic and personalised environment and provides an inpatient mental health facility that is designed to meet growing demands for psychiatric care in India. It provides a multidisciplinary team that includes psychiatrists, nutritionists, physiotherapists, and yoga practitioners to provide holistic treatment. The Chairperson, Dr Samir Parikh, says that mental health deserves prioritisation. Despite growing awareness, stigma still prevails, due to which many people suffer in silence, hence this collaboration.
Key Highlights of The Collaboration
The collaboration of the ‘Sitar for Mental Health ‘ program with Adayu aims to promote greater acceptance of mental health issues among the population. A part of this collaboration includes separate dedicated rooms for patients so that they can experience the therapeutic benefits of music. Starting in April 2026, the partnership will also be launching a nationwide school outreach program. The aim of this program would be to help young students to understand resilience and also how creativity can help in maintaining emotional balance as well as preventing mental health issues.
Next, this collaboration also plans to start digital awareness campaigns and community-led engagement to normalise conversations about mental health and reach a greater audience. Rishabh Sharma states that he intended to use the language of music to open conversations about emotional well-being and help people feel less alone in their struggles. By joining hands with mental health experts at Adayu, he hopes to create spaces where people can pause, reflect and feel supported. Dr Samir Parikh, Chairperson, Mental Health Programme, Fortis Healthcare and Adayu, states that when icons like Rishabh Sharma campaign for mental health, it sparks crucial conversations and encourages communities to seek help without fear or judgment.
References +
Rishab Rikhiram Sharma’s “Sitar for Mental Health” to launch music-driven mental health initiative for patients. (2026, March 17). ANI News. https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/rishab-rikhiram-sharmas-sitar-for-mental-health-to-launch-music-driven-mental-health-initiative-for-patients20260317034524
Sharma, A. (2025, February 4). All about ‘Sitar for Mental Health’; An initiative to combine arts, music, and well-being. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/the-arts/all-about-sitar-for-mental-health-an-initiative-to-combine-arts-music-and-well-being/articleshow/117903377.cms
