Polish guitar virtuoso Marcin Patrzalek and Indian sitarist Rishab Rikhiram Sharma came together for an impromptu jam session in Delhi, bringing Western and Indian classical traditions together with a contemporary edge.
Calling the meeting spontaneous, Sharma said Patrzalek’s curiosity about Indian classical music led to an exchange of musical ideas before the two began improvising. “This meeting is a testament to the fact that while we handle two entirely different musical ecosystems, we are profoundly united by a shared, universal love for sound, vibration and strings,” he said. It was pure spontaneity, pure improvisation, and pure inspiration,” he said.
Patrzalek also described the collaboration as an entirely unplanned musical exchange. “We didn’t prepare at all. Of the two videos, one is Rishab’s composition and the other is mine, and neither of us had heard the other’s piece before. The jam highlighted the similarities between the two musicians despite their vastly different instruments and musical backgrounds. Both have built their identities around reinterpreting traditional techniques through contemporary formats, using performance and digital media to introduce classical sounds to a wider, younger global audience. Looking for trusted parenting advice? Follow TOI Parenting Circle on Instagram for expert guidance, relatable stories, and practical tips delivered every day.
Patrzalek, 25, is known for his percussive fingerstyle guitar technique, combining influences from flamenco, classical, rock and electronic music. Sharma, 27, the youngest and final disciple of sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, has similarly sought to bring Indian classical music to younger audiences through digital platforms, while connecting raga traditions with conversations around mental well-being. The collaboration took place at Rikhi Ram Music in Gole Market, the family-run instrument store associated with fourth-generation luthier Sanjay Sharma. With a legacy of crafting stringed instruments for some of the biggest names in Indian classical music, the venue provided a fitting setting for the meeting of two young musicians pushing traditional instruments into new musical spaces.