Born in 1920 in Varanasi, Ravi Shankar’s artistic journey began as a dancer in his brother’s troupe, travelling across India and Europe. But destiny had other plans. Under the rigorous tutelage of maestro Allauddin Khan, he dedicated himself to the sitar, spending years mastering the intricate ragas of Hindustani classical music. His deep knowledge, emotive playing, and improvisational brilliance made him a force to be reckoned with in Indian classical music. By the 1950s, he composed for films and All India Radio, shaping the sound of an evolving nation.
Sitar meets world
In the 1960s, he captivated the West by mentoring George Harrison of The Beatles, sparking an international love affair with Indian music. His spellbinding performances at the Monterey Pop Festival, Woodstock, and the Concert for Bangladesh introduced millions to the transcendental sounds of the sitar. Shankar’s collaborations with Western classical icons like Yehudi Menuhin and jazz legends like John Coltrane created a unique fusion, blending traditions never seen before. His influence also extended to film, with compositions for legendary directors like Satyajit Ray, further cementing his place in global music history.
Legacy in every note
Beyond his legendary performances, Shankar composed scores for films, orchestras, and ballets, pushing musical boundaries at every turn. He founded institutions like the Ravi Shankar Centre in Delhi, ensuring that classical music education flourished. His contributions earned him multiple Grammy Awards, an Academy Award nomination, and India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna. Even today, his daughter, Anoushka Shankar, continues his legacy, ensuring that the sitar’s timeless melodies echo across generations, proving that music knows no borders.
