Sitar Maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar: Facts, Essays

Introduction

• Indian musician Pandit Ravi Shankar was a “Sitar maestro” who played Hindustani classical music.
• He was the most famous sitar player in the world, and is credited for popularizing the Indian classical instrument Sitar all over the world.
• Ravi Shankar collaborated with several notable international musicians, including violinist Yehudi Menuhin, and the famous band ‘The Beatles’.

Early Days

• Ravi Shankar was introduced to Sitar when he was 18 years old. He learnt to play Sitar under his Guru, Ustad Inayat Khan.
• Later he worked for the Indian People’s Theatre Association, and then at All-India Radio (AIR). Shankar also worked as a composer.
• At AIR, Rabi Shankar would create compositions in Indian classical style as well as in western style (for sitar and orchestra).

 
Worldwide Followers

• George Harrison, member of the famous band ‘Beatles’, started taking Sitar lessons from the Pandit himself in 1966. Their association brought Shankar and Indian music popularity in the West.
• His association with the Beatles also brought him criticism as many accused him of being a hippie and promoting drug use. Gradually, he distanced himself from his hippie associations and focussed only on classical music.
• Shankar regularly performed in Europe and America, and had a huge fan following abroad. He also regularly conducted teaching workshops on Sitar in foreign countries.

Music Composer

• Besides being a Sitar player, Ravi Shankar also composed music, and has several albums to his credits.
• The legendary Sitar player has won several Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2013).
• Shankar composed the film scores for the acclaimed Indian director Satyajit Ray’s famous Apu trilogy (1955–59).

More Honours

• Pandit Ravi Shankar was honoured with India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna (in 1999) for his contribution to Indian classical music.
• For his great contribution to Indian music, Ravi Shankar was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, where he served as a member for 5 years.
• His daughter, Anoushka Shankar, is also a famous Sitar player and music composer. The legacy of Ravi Shankar is now being carried forward by her talented daughter.

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