Career
Shivkumar Sharma, his father, mastered the instrument by experimenting with various striking positions and tones. As Shivkumar's status rose in the musical circles of Kashmir, word of his performances grew over borders and continents. Rahul Sharma continued the tradition of the instrument. He was always in love with music, singing and playing the harmonium at an early age. Learning the santoor at age 13, he wasn't completely sure of pursuing music until he turned 17. After studying economics at Mumbai's Mithibai College, Rahul Sharma began performing with his father. He started accompanying him in concerts in 1996, at the age of 24.
The mountainous region of Kashmir was where Rahul's musical lineage evolved and in September 2000, Real World Records released Music Of The Himalayas, a live performance in Turin featuring Sharma, percussionist Pandit Bhawani Shankar, and tabla player Ustad Shafat Ahmed Khan. Rahul has performed in North America and throughout Europe, and at various folk and world music festivals, including WOMAD.
He quickly became a sought after concert artist, and has released several CDs, some solo and some with his father. He has collaborated with international musicians like pianist Richard Clayderman and keyboardist Kersi Lord. The Confluence (2002) has mostly Indian titles, six of which were composed by Rahul Sharma himself. He provided the music for the Hindi feature film Mujhse Dosti Karoge, for which he received the award in the 'Best Debut-Music Director' category at the 2002 Zee Bollywood Music Awards. His last album Time Traveler which has been described as New-Age was released on March 10, 2006.
He collaborates with Ustad Zakir Hussain, Pt Bhavani Shankar Kathak, Shafat Ahmed Khan tabla.
In cooperation with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings will release three volumes of its initially seven volumes’ Central Asian Music series on March 30, 2010. Vol.9: In the Footsteps of Babur: Musical Encounters from the Lands of the Mughals explores the common ground of musical styles, sensibilities, and instruments from Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Northern India. Six brilliant instrumentalists, amongst whom Rahul Sharma and Homayun Sakhi, the leading Afghan rubâb player, illuminate the musical legacy of the Mughal Empire, founded five centuries ago by Emperor Babur.
Read more about this topic: Rahul Sharma (musician)
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