Rikhi Ram Musical Instrument Mfg. Co. was founded by its namesake Pt Rikhi Ram in 1920 in Lahore. In 1948, after Partition, the business moved to Delhi and was taken over by his son, Pt Bishann Dass. One of the most respected instrument making businesses in India, for generations Rikhi Ram has provided instruments for many of India's greatest musicians. Among them are Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, Viliyat Khan, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Alla Rakha, Shahid Parvez and Shujaat Khan.
After the death of Bishann Dass in 2007, the business was taken over by his son Ajay Sharma, who has continued the respected family tradition and introduced many innovations. He is one of the finest sitar makers in the world.