The controversy over sitarist Rishabh Rikhiram Sharma’s claim that he was the last disciple of the late maestro Ravi Shankar has taken a clearer turn, with the Ravi Shankar Centre issuing an in depth rebuttal contesting that assertion.
Ravi Shankar centre refutes Rishabh Rikhiram’s ‘Last Disciple’ claim, cites no formal initiation
In an official statement on February 27, the Centre said while Rishabh’s musical talent is recognised, there was no formal initiation (Ganda-Bandhan) or traditional ceremony that might qualify him as a disciple within the classical guru-shishya tradition. It described an incident in January 2012, often cited by Rishabh’s team, as an off-the-cuff string-tying on the young musician’s father’s request, lacking customary rituals, a priest, prepared ceremonial thread or wider witness
The Centre also cited a public introduction by Pandit Ravi Shankar at a concert, where the maestro reportedly told the audience, “I actually have just had this recent, wonderful young boy grow to be my student, and just given him a number of lessons.” Based on the statement, he didn’t use the word “disciple” at any point. After March 2012, when the legend left India resulting from poor health, no sustained or structured teaching continued. Reiterating the view often expressed by Ravi Shankar’s daughter, Grammy-nominated sitarist Anoushka Shankar, the Centre said the word disciple has profound cultural meaning in Indian classical music and is earned through years of deep training and commitment, not a handful of lessons.
The back-and-forth has sparked broader discussion in music circles about what defines a real guru-shishya bond in the normal sense, beyond social media narratives and short-term interactions. Rishabh’s supporters proceed to share photos and memories of his early association with Ravi Shankar, while critics of his claim point to the Centre’s clarification as a reminder of the load such titles carry.
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