Santoor Maestro Rahul Sharma to Open Kala Ghoda’s Curtain Raiser with a Special Fusion Concert

On Sunday, October 12, 6pm,  the Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point will come alive with the shimmering resonance of the Santoor. The Kala Ghoda Association and the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, in collaboration with the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) and the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), present Rahul Sharma’s Santoor Serenity: Healing Harmonies — a luminous Curtain Raiser Charity Fundraiser for the upcoming 26th edition of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival.

This evening promises to be a rare confluence where Indian classical traditions embrace global contemporary sounds, carrying audiences on a journey of harmony, healing, and timeless rhythm. Proceeds from the concert will go toward the preservation, restoration, and promotion of the historic Kala Ghoda Art District.

Rahul Sharma, globally celebrated Santoor maestro and son of the legendary Padma Vibhushan Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, will lead the evening. With over 70 albums, collaborations with Grammy Award-winning artists like Kenny G, Deep Forest, and Richard Clayderman, and symphonic work with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, Rahul continues to redefine the Santoor — weaving its ancient soul into modern soundscapes. His recordings with Lata Mangeshkar and Amitabh Bachchan remain treasured musical milestones.

The concert will also feature a stellar ensemble of musicians — Ojas Adhiya on tabla, Vinayak Pol on drums, Avinash Chandrachud on keyboard, and Amit Gadgil on bass guitar — who together will blend the Santoor’s melodic richness with the vibrancy of jazz, rock, funk, and world rhythms to create an immersive sonic experience. The evening is curated and managed by The Event Company.

Speaking about the concert, Rahul Sharma said, “This concert is a celebration of the universality of music, rooted in the soulful richness of Indian classical traditions, yet resonating across borders. It is about creating a space where melodies can heal, inspire, and unite us all.”

As Asia’s largest multidisciplinary arts festival, the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival returns for its 26th edition from January 31st to February 8th, 2026. Over nine days, Mumbai will host more than 300 programmes across 14 artistic verticals, including music, dance, theatre, literature, cinema, visual arts, heritage walks, architecture, comedy, workshops, and food & craft bazaars. Since its inception in 1999, the festival has become one of India’s most beloved cultural landmarks, drawing audiences from across the world.

Brinda Miller, Hon. Chairperson and Festival Director of the Kala Ghoda Association, said, “As we step into our 26th edition, our mission is to keep Kala Ghoda’s heartbeat alive as a vibrant hub of art and culture. This fusion concert is more than a performance — it is a symphony of support, a call to action for patrons, collaborators, and audiences to come together in safeguarding our shared heritage.”

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