Quote of the Day by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma: “We don’t perform to impress. We perform to express”

Renowned musician Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, the maestro who introduced the santoor to global audiences, once said, “We don’t perform to impress. We perform to express.” And when one looks at his work, one realises that his music did not chase applause; it carried emotion. This quote captures the essence of why authentic work, whether in music or life, leaves a lasting impact:

What does the quote mean?

At its core, the quote draws a clear line between impression and expression. To perform to impress is to seek approval, validation, or praise. It focuses on the audience’s reaction. To perform to express, however, is inward-looking. It is about honesty, feeling, and truth. Expression comes from a place of self-awareness and sincerity. When expression leads, appreciation often follows, but it is never the primary goal.

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Pandit Sharma suggests that true performance is not a show, but a conversation between the inner self and the outer world. Whether one is playing music, creating content, studying, working, or speaking up, the intention matters more than the applause.

Why this idea matters today?

We live in a time where visibility is often confused with value. Numbers, likes, shares, grades, and titles, have become quick measures of worth. In such an environment, it is easy to perform for approval rather than purpose.

Panditji’s words act as a reminder that constantly trying to impress can dilute originality. When expression is sacrificed for acceptance, individuality, slowly disappears. Expression, on the other hand, builds depth. It allows people to show up as they are, not as they think they should be. This is where confidence grows and creativity becomes sustainable.

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Lessons from the quote

Authenticity over applause: Trends feed, but genuine expression always remains relevant.

Expression builds connection: People relate more deeply to honesty than perfection.

Impressing others is exhausting, expressing yourself is freeing: One demands performance, the other allows presence.