Pandit Ravi Shankar


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Pandit Ravi Shankar
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Pandit Ravi Shankar Biography
Pandit Ravi Shankar was born on April 7, 1920, at Varanasi near Benares in West Bengal into an orthodox, well-off Brahmin family. The legendary Sitarist and composer have not only contributed a golden page to the history of Indian classical music but have taken it across the seven seas. As long time admirer, fellow musician, student and ex-Beatles guitarist, George Harrison opines, “ Ravi Shankar is the Godfather of world music.”

Ravi Shankar initially made his foray into the world of performing arts as a dancer but later took patronage in Sitar under the legendary Allauddin Khan, the architect of 20th century Indian classical music. His sangeet sadhana was as strenuous and grueling as the tapasya (penance) done in the olden days by ascetics seeking knowledge in the ashrams of their gurus. Living with Ustad Allaudin Khan and pursuing his study, Ravi Shankar had to undergo rigorous trials. The Ustad was a difficult master. At times Ravi Shankar was even subjected to physical punishment.

He began giving public recitals in 1939, ending his training in 1944. He toured and wrote for films and ballet. He also began his recording career around this time and worked with All India Radio followed - as music director from February 1949 to January 1956 in New Delhi. At the same time he was making his first steps towards international stardom. In 1954 he performed in the Soviet Union. In 1956 he played his debut solo concerts in Western Europe and the U.S. Within a decade he would be the most famous Indian musician on the planet.

Pt. Ravi Shankar has written two concertos for sitar and orchestra, violin-sitar compositions for Yehudi Menuhin and himself, music for flute virtuoso Jean Pierre Rampal, music for Hosan Yamamoto, master of the Shakuhachi and Musumi Miyashita - Koto virtuoso, and collaborated with Phillip Glass (Passages). George Harrison produced and participated in two record albums, "Shankar Family & Friends" and "Festival of India" composed by Pt. Ravi Shankar. He has composed extensively for films and ballets in India, Canada, Europe and the United States, including Charly, Gandhi and Apu Trilogy. Ravi Shankar is an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and is a member of the United Nations International Rostrum of composers. He has received many awards and honors from his own country and from all over the world, including fourteen doctorates, the Padma Vibhushan, Desikottam, the Magsaysay Award from Manila, two Grammy's, the Fukuoka grand Prize from Japan, the Crystal award from Davos, with the title 'Global Ambassador' to name some.

Pt. Ravi Shankar's contribution to World Music is invaluable. A classical musician, he has not been afraid to experiment, and his music has influenced Western pop since the 1960's. As a testament to the fervent interest in his music from hippie audiences, Shankar was invited to perform at two of the '60s biggest rock festivals, Monterey Pop and Woodstock. In the '70s, he also participated in Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh.

The love and respect he commands both in India and in the West is unique in the annals of the history of music. Perhaps no greater tribute can be paid to this genius than the words of the legendary violinist Yehudi Menuhin, “Ravi Shankar has brought me a precious gift and through him I have added a new dimension to my experience of music. To me, his genius and his humanity can only be compared to that of Mozart’s.”
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