Rishab Sharma is a developing Indian live performer, who creatively merges traditional aesthetics with modern-day stagecraft. Recently, many of his fans have noticed that he has a known pre-concert ritual of applying mehendi (henna) to his hands prior to performing on stage. This has become increasingly talked about on social media and among people attending his concerts.
A Cultural and Spiritual Foundation
The main reason for this ritual for Sharma is that it connects him back to his heritage and cultural roots. Mehendi has an ancient history throughout Indian culture and is connected with auspiciousness, positive energy and celebrations. Additionally, it helps him ground himself to this culturally centered activity as he transitions from his day-to-day life into performance mode.
Many artists rely on rituals to provide them with grounding before performing. In Sharma’s case, mehendi serves to provide him with a symbolic connection back to his music which has traditionally drawn from the elements of Indian classical and folk music.
A Practice of Mindfulness Before Performing
In addition to being tied to tradition, the way that mehendi is applied also helps Sharma practice mindfulness prior to performing because of the nature of the application process. People close to Sharma have stated that he uses this time to concentrate, ease his nerves about the performance, and remember his setlist.
The act of sitting still while the mehendi is applied allows him to:
- Think Ahead for Performance
- Control Performance Anxiety
- Get Creative
Many performers have pre-performance rituals that help them to prepare, e.g., for singers this can include vocal warm-ups or meditation. Sharma’s method or ritual is more visual and representative of cultural expression.
Visual Branding and Aesthetic Identity/Stage Presence
Visual branding is an important component of the performer’s identity, especially in an environment where both music and visual images are presented at live performances. Sharma’s mehendi (henna designs) adds a different visual element to his stage presence because the mehendi patterns are so detailed that they create additional focus on his hand movements/cues to the audience (important for a performer with an active audience).
Fans have begun to identify Sharma’s mehendi as part of his identity; thus, the use of mehendi creates a distinct artistic signature.
Fan Engagement/Symbolism
Sharma’s mehendi has created a fan engagement and a shared experience at concerts. Many fans will bring photographs of different mehendi designs and ask to have them applied to their skin before the concert. The symbolism of the mehendi will connect fans to the performer, provide good luck for the concert, and create a way to participate in the unique concert culture.
The result is a strengthening of the relationship between fans and artists through symbolic interaction, which creates lasting and memorable experiences at live performances.
Read more: Shakira’s India Concerts Put on Hold, Fans React with Disappointment
Not Just a Trend, But a Personal Ritual
While there are some who consider it merely a trend, those who know Sharma express that the practice is an expression of one’s self, rather than an act of performance art. It is a combination of:
- Cultural Appreciation
- Mental Readiness
- Visual Creativity
In a music world where the majority of artists are rushing to produce and connect with their audience using digital means, Rishab Sharma’s mehndi ceremony before a concert stands out as a slow, purposeful experience that merges the traditional aspect of performing live with the modern-day experience of performing.
The Larger Perspective
Rishab Sharma’s mehndi ceremony prior to his concert is representative of a more significant trend in live entertainment, in which performers are beginning to embrace their unique rituals and cultural authenticity as part of their branding. Grounding, visuals, and meaning are just a few of the ways that performers can unify themselves with the audience, in order to build deeper connections. As he continues to gain popularity, this simple but beautiful ritual may ultimately become one of the key components of his artistic brand.
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