Ravi Shankar
Ravi Shankar: A Maestro of Indian Classical Music
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Sri Ravi Shankar, affectionately known as The Sitar Maestro or Ravi Shankar, was an Indian sitar player, composer, and music producer.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on April 7, 1920, in Varanasi, India, Shankar passed away on December 11, 2012, at the age of 92, in San Diego, California.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Shankar was an Indian national, renowned for his contributions to Indian classical music, as well as a pioneer in promoting cross-cultural understanding through music.
Early Life and Background
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Shankar was born into a family of musicians. His father, Din Dayal Shankar, was a strict disciplinarian who taught Ravi the basics of music from an early age. Growing up in Varanasi, Ravi showed exceptional talent on the sitar, which would become his signature instrument.
Shankar's journey as a musician began at age 17 when he became the youngest student to be accepted into the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Music Academy. He studied under Allauddin Khan, a renowned sarod player and composer, who mentored him for over 10 years. This tutelage under one of India's most respected musicians shaped Shankar's unique style and dedication to preserving traditional Indian music.
Major Accomplishments
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Shankar's remarkable career was marked by numerous achievements:
International recognition: He is widely regarded as one of the greatest sitar players of all time, introducing Indian classical music to global audiences.
Collaborations: Shankar worked with legendary musicians such as Yehudi Menuhin, George Harrison (The Beatles), and Phil Collins (Genesis).
Compositions: He composed numerous works, including the iconic "Raga Puriya Dhanashri" and the symphonic suite "Concerto for Sitar & Orchestra."
Teaching and education: Shankar founded the Kinnara School of Music in Santa Monica, California, to promote cross-cultural understanding through music.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some notable works include:
"The Concert for Bangladesh" (1971): A pioneering charity concert organized by Shankar and George Harrison to raise awareness about the Bangladesh Liberation War.
"Raga Mala" (1986-1990): An epic, nine-volume series of recordings showcasing various ragas on the sitar.
Impact and Legacy
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Shankar's impact on Indian classical music and global culture is immeasurable:
Pioneering fusion: He pioneered the fusion of traditional Indian music with Western instruments and styles.
Global ambassador: Shankar introduced India's rich musical heritage to international audiences, inspiring a new generation of musicians and fans worldwide.
Awards and recognition: He received numerous honors, including three Grammy Awards, the Polar Music Prize (1999), and a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Ravi Shankar's influence extends beyond his music:
Cross-cultural understanding: Through his work, Shankar promoted mutual respect and appreciation between East and West.
* Preservation of traditional music: He safeguarded India's rich musical heritage for future generations while introducing it to the world.
Shankar's legacy continues to inspire musicians, artists, and anyone touched by his timeless creations.
Quotes by Ravi Shankar
Ah, 'Pather Panchali' was the most inspiring film that I wrote music for, and it was so spontaneously done. I saw the film, composed on the spot, along with myself and only four other musicians, and everything was done within 4-1/2 hours, I think an all-time record anywhere.
Enlightenment is very possible for the ordinary individual. Actually, it is easier than for someone who thinks that they are special.
Whether you are aware of them or not, whether you recognize them as spiritual or not, you probably have had the experiences of silence, or transcendence, or the Divine-a few seconds, a few minutes that seem out of time; a moment when the ordinary looks beautiful, glowing; a deep sense of being at peace, feeling happy for no reason. When these experiences come...believe in them. They reflect your true nature.
I do think that my Indian classical audiences thought I was sacrificing them through working with George; I became known as the 'fifth Beatle.' In India, they thought I was mad.
In the U.K., classical music is composed by individuals and written down. Indian music is based on certain sequences called ragas. When I perform live, 95% of the music is improvised: it never sounds the same twice.
