Nepalese Musician Saurav Sharma Honoured by India’s Vice President at MALHAR 2026

Young Nepalese musician Saurav Sharma was honoured with the Youth Goodwill Ambassador Honor by Indian Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan at MALHAR 2026 – Connecting Youth with the Soul of Classical Music, organised by AntarHriday Connect Global Foundation.

The honour recognised Sharma’s contribution to strengthening India–Nepal people-to-people ties through music and culture. Speaking at the event, Vice President Radhakrishnan said young people could serve as “bridges of friendship” between India and other countries by using music and culture to promote understanding and goodwill.

He also described music as one of India’s greatest forms of soft power, noting that it transcends language and borders and connects people without the need for translation.

The event’s Chief Patron, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, former Foreign Secretary of India and a Rajya Sabha member, highlighted Sharma’s longstanding spiritual and cultural association with India. He noted that Sharma regularly visits the Sri Sathya Sai Ashram in Puttaparthi, where he has performed music on several occasions.

MALHAR 2026 brought together young audiences and prominent practitioners of Indian classical music, including Padma Shri Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar and renowned Kathak exponent Pt. Rajendra Gangani. The programme was held in association with ITC Ltd., ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Bharat Ki Soch and Sawasdee Group.

Sharma’s felicitation by the Vice President was seen as more than an individual achievement, highlighting the enduring cultural and people-to-people ties between Nepal and India. The occasion underscored the role of youth, music and shared cultural traditions in strengthening friendship between the two neighbouring countries.