Tribe Verified· Four decades of global music education.

Sitar Masterclasses & Indian Classical Music Workshops

byShubhendra RaoConducts programs at schools and colleges across IndiaStarts from₹8,000 per sessionView full gallery

I believe music is a journey, not just a set of notes. Whether it is an interactive lecture-demonstration for students or a deep-dive masterclass in the Guru-Shishya tradition, my goal is to make the beauty of Indian classical music accessible and deeply personal.

Teaching is about sharing a tradition that is larger than any one of us. Here I am during a masterclass in Niigata, Japan, guiding a dedicated student through the nuances of the sitar and the Maihar parampara.

I was deeply touched by the devotion of these students in Brazil, many of whom traveled for hours to attend this masterclass. Their hunger to learn our music reaffirms its global appeal and the responsibility we have to share it.

A wonderful memory from a workshop in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Here, I am explaining the structure of a raga to an engaged group of students, surrounded by beautiful Gamelan instruments, showing how different musical cultures can connect.

The wonderful group of students from my masterclass at the university in Guayaquil. It is always a joy to connect with young, curious minds and share the depth and beauty of Indian classical music with them.

It was an honour to be invited as a keynote speaker at the International Performing Arts Conference in New Delhi. Sharing my thoughts on music education and cultural entrepreneurship is a vital part of my mission.

A poster for my performance at KLE Society's School in my hometown of Bengaluru. I am always happy to connect with young students through the wonderful outreach programs organized by SPIC MACAY.

This poster announces a performance at the Management Development Institute in Gurgaon. It is always interesting to present our classical music to students of different disciplines, like management, and show its universal principles.

A poster for a sitar recital at Acharya Narendra Dev College, part of the University of Delhi. These college concerts are a great way to introduce the depth of classical music to young adults.

This poster is for a lecture-demonstration at the Shiv Nadar School. These "lec-dems" are highly interactive, allowing students to ask questions and get a closer look at the sitar and the art of improvisation.

Announcing an upcoming concert at IIIT Delhi. Performing at premier technology and engineering institutes like IIT helps bridge the gap between the arts and sciences, showing how creativity is essential in all fields.

About Workshops & Masterclasses

If you are coming to me for a masterclass, know that this is not about rote learning or reading from a textbook. We focus on the Gayaki Ang style of the Maihar Gharana, which means we work on making your sitar sing like a human voice. For private mentorship, I require you to own a professional-grade instrument so we can focus entirely on technique, repertoire, and the meditative practice of raga development rather than instrument limitations.

Four decades of global music education. — Approved by the tribe

Shubhendra Rao

Conducts programs at schools and colleges across IndiaStarts from ₹8,000 per session

I have spent my life dedicated to the sitar and the teachings of my Guru, Pandit Ravi Shankar. Music is not just my profession; it is a spiritual practice that I am honoured to share with students, whether they are beginners in school or advanced musicians seeking to deepen their craft.