"Truly surreal experience," says Rishab Rikhiram Sharma after performing at closing ceremony of 2026 Commonwealth Games
Glasgow, August 3
Sitarist Rishab Rikhiram Sharma left everyone spellbound with his magical performance at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland.
For Rishab, it was a surreal experience as he got the opportunity to showcase Indian music on a global platform.
"It was a truly surreal experience to represent India on such a massive global stage at the Closing Ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. To present our traditional art form in its purest essence, backed by such spectacular production, incredible dancers, breathtaking fireworks, and world-class theatrics, was an absolute honour. It was a proud reminder that India is more than ready to carry forward the baton that was passed to us in Glasgow and bring the Commonwealth Games home once again after 20 years, this time to Gujarat," Rishab said in a press note.
He added, "What made the experience even more special was watching people from so many different nationalities connect with our spiritual and Indian classical music. I performed Chanakya and Tandavam. Chanakya symbolises courage and valour, while Tandavam embodies the powerful Rudra Rasa, the emotion of righteous anger. Seeing the audience completely immersed in the performance, vibing to the music, and cheering so passionately for India was incredibly heartwarming."
He shared that the Commonwealth Games have always been close to his heart.
"The Commonwealth Games also hold a very special place in my heart on a personal level. Back in 2010, when Delhi hosted the Commonwealth Games, my father's store in Gole Market was the official destination for musical instruments, introducing visitors from around the world to India's rich musical heritage and culture. Sixteen years later, to have his son represent India on the very same global platform not as an official instrument maker, but as a performer showcasing that musical tradition felt like life had come full circle. It was an incredibly emotional moment for me and my family," Rishab added.
"I am deeply grateful to the Commonwealth Games organisers for inviting me and giving me this wonderful platform to showcase our culture to the world. I sincerely hope my performance was enjoyed and appreciated by everyone watching. Jai Hind," Rishab expressed.
Music composer Shankar Mahadevan and Manushi Chhillar also performed at the ceremony.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Absolutely brilliant! I watched the closing ceremony live and his performance of Tandavam gave me goosebumps. It's so refreshing to see young Indian artists getting international recognition for our classical traditions. The Commonwealth Games coming to Gujarat in 2030 is going to be spectacular. This is how we showcase our soft power to the world! ✨
While I'm happy for Rishab and proud of his achievement, I hope we also invest more in our classical arts back home. So many talented musicians struggle for basic opportunities in India, but when we perform abroad, suddenly everyone celebrates. Let's use this moment to also boost our cultural infrastructure and support local artists. Still, congratulations to Rishab for this incredible milestone! 🎶
The emotional connection to his father's story is what makes this so special. Gole Market in Delhi has been a hub for musical instruments for decades, and now his son is carrying that legacy forward on a global stage. Also loved how the crowd was cheering for India - that's the kind of respect our culture deserves. Well done, Rishab!
Watched the ceremony from London and was genuinely captivated by the sitar performance! It's wonderful to see Indian classical music get such a prominent platform. The fusion of traditional sounds with modern stage production was seamless. Looking forward to the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Gujarat - India is going to host an unforgettable event! 🇮🇳
The way he described Chanak
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.