Barkha Sharma

Barkha Sharma is an Indian fashion designer, classical dancer, author, and co-founder of the men's clothing label Barkha 'n' Sonzal.[1] In 2014, she was nominated to represent India in the International Woolmark Prize in the menswear category.[2] Barkha, under the label Rhydhun, also designs handicrafts.[3][4] She is a trained dancer and tanpura player who was invited to perform with her husband Rahul Sharma for Prince William and Kate Middleton at the Hyderabad House, in the presence of the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in April 2016.[5] Barkha is the author of “Global Little Yogis,” a book about making yoga and wellness a regular part of one’s routine.

Barkha Sharma
Born
Mumbai, India
NationalityIndian
EducationPurdue University, United States
Occupation(s)Designer, author, classical dancer
SpouseRahul Sharma
AwardsNominated for International Woolmark Prize, 2014–15
Websitebarkhansonzal.com

Career

Fashion Design

In 2009, Barkha and her sister founded their fashion label, "Dance of the Warrior," with a men's collection. They styled Pandit Shivkumar Sharma and Rahul Sharma for the song "Mile Sur Mera Tumhara" in 2010. The sister duo has designed – The Yogi,[6] Rebel, Spirituale, Wah Taj Tea Ad, and Tata Ad shot in Kashmir. She designed the album cover for Rahul Sharma's Namaste India,[7] as well as the music video "Meeting by the Nile."[8] Barkha's label is the first to design a sherwani made of string beans, purple cabbage, and green peas for PETA India.[9] Barkha has worked with numerous tribes in India, South Africa, Europe, Egypt, Russia, etc. She volunteered for numerous NGOs, one of them being Aseema for which she made jackets for the winners of the rickshaw challenge in 2009, the benefits of which were donated to charity.[10]

Music & Art

Barkha has lent her voice to Rahul Sharma's album "Spirituale," reciting Rumi's poems. She appeared as a model alongside her husband in Richard Clayderman's music video from the album Confluence 2.[11] Barkha and her sister conceptualized a fashion film starring Terrence Lewis, which was selected for the Fashion Films Premiere at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/ Festive 2013.[12][13] Barkha performed tanpura with her husband Rahul Sharma for President of India Ram Nath Kovind, Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis, Governor of Maharastra C. Vidyasagar Rao and Hansa Yogendra to commemorate the Yoga Institute's 100th anniversary.[14] Barkha performed for Yoga International Day to the song "Yug O' Vision," composed by Rahul Sharma and sung by Siddharth Basrur, under the guidance of Hansa Yogendra, director of The Yoga Institute. Padmabhushan Padma Subrahmanyam choreographed it.[15]

Writer

Barkha launched her book, “Global Little Yogis,” in 2023. It was published by Rupa Publications.[16] The book contains a collection of essential yoga asanas, Indian ragas and global classical music recommendations with each asana, spirit animals, and spirit trees along with their symbolic meanings, mythological stories, art, and ancient practices from various cultures around the world. The book is targeted towards children over the age of five and their families, with the aim of promoting mindful and holistic living for greater happiness, as opposed to solely seeking material and commercial gratification.[17] Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar wrote about the book, "A fun yoga book for children that guides them towards positivity, harmony and dynamic self-development. This has something for everyone." Actress Juhi Chawla noted that the book is "a delightful gift for every little child and young parent for living a healthy, fun, and successful life!"[18]

Personal life

Barkha Sharma was born and brought up in Mumbai and later moved to the United States. She graduated with a B.Sc degree from Purdue University and underwent a marketing program at the The Wharton Business School, followed by an entrepreneurship program at Harvard University. Barkha's father is a Gujarati and her mother hails from the Kashmiri Pandit origin. She is married to Rahul Sharma and they have a son, Abhinav Rahul Sharma, who was born in June 2014.[19] Barkha is also a classical dancer trained in Mohiniattam and other dance forms. She studied Kalaripayattu at CVN Kalari.[20]

References
  1. "Rock on in style!". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  2. "Three Indian designers". DNAIndia. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  3. "Designer Barkha and Sonzal". BollywoodXO. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  4. "Barkha and Sonzal on designing for men". Idiva. 7 March 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  5. "Rahul and Barkha Sharma perform for PM Modi, Prince William and Kate in Delhi". HinduTimes. 13 April 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  6. "Anil Kapoor at the launch of Barkha 'n' Sonzal's Yogi collection". Gomolo. Archived from the original on 28 April 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  7. "It was surreal Rahul Sharma". DNAindia. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  8. "Lakme Fashion week preview: Barkha 'n'Sonzal". Missmalini. 26 August 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  9. "Animal warriors in green". The Times of India. Retrieved 17 August 2010.
  10. "Sisters salute fashion". dnaindia. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  11. "richard clayderman and rahul sharma – confluence 2". Prashant Singh. Retrieved 10 July 2008.
  12. "Buddha Fashion Film". 18 March 2014.
  13. "Lakme Fashion Week winter Festive 2013 day 4". Bharatstudent. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  14. "Santoor Maestro Shri Rahul Sharma & Smt. BarkhaSharma performing during the Presidential event" (PDF). Yogasattva magazine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 January 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  15. "Yug O' Vision". Times Music. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  16. "Global Little Yogis: Secrets from India and Other Parts of the World". Rupa Publications. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  17. "Catch them young: How to guide children to holistic spiritual development". India Today. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  18. Global Little Yogis. ASIN 9357020039.
  19. "Rahul Sharma and Barkha baby boy for santoor maestro". The Times of India. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  20. "Barkha Sharma – Mohiniattam Dancer". dnasyndication. Retrieved 21 February 2009.
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