Santoor Maestro Expands Instrument's Reach

Santoor maestro Rahul Sharma is pioneering new frontiers for the traditional instrument. Sharma has taken the santoor from its Kashmiri folk roots into global, cinematic, and now symphonic realms, marking an unprecedented expansion of its sonic universe. He has released over 75 albums and collaborated with international artists like Richard Clayderman and Peter Gabriel, as well as philharmonic orchestras.

Sharma has expressed a selective approach to Bollywood, suggesting that contemporary film music often lacks the distinct identity it once possessed. He feels much of today's film music is sourced from banks rather than being originally composed, diminishing composers' styles. However, he acknowledges memorable Bollywood experiences, including Lata Mangeshkar singing his songs and Amitabh Bachchan's involvement.

Currently, Sharma is focused on his project "Symphony of Santoor," featuring a 35-piece chamber orchestra. This endeavor aims to depict 'ancient strings with modern calm,' presenting the santoor with a full philharmonic orchestra for the first time. The project successfully expands the santoor's horizons by incorporating folk, raagmalas, and jazz elements while retaining its core purity.