When we think of Sitar, the first and foremost name that comes to our mind is Pandit Ravi Shankar and here is a live concert by Ravi Shankar and Anoushka Shankar. Pandit Ravi Shankar does not need any introduction who was an Indian Sitar vidwan and also a composer. He was born in April 1920 and died in December 2012 and became the world’s best-known North Indian Classical music exponent.
Pandit Ravi Shankar was born to a Bengali Brahmin family – original name Robindro Shaunkor Chowdhury in Bengali. He was active in a dance group of his brother Uday Shankar as a dancer during his youth. He started learning Sitar under the court musician Allauddin Khan in 1938, giving up dancing. After his studies, he worked as composer and was Music Director of All India Radio (AIR) in New Delhi from 1949 to 1956.
Life with Sitar
Pandit Ravi Shankar started touring Europe and Americas, playing Indian Classical Music in 1956. He was popular for teaching, performance and had association with famous Violinist Yehudi Menuhin. He was also associated with the Guitarist George Harrison of the rock band Beatles.
Awards and Accolades
India Government has awarded him with various awards like
- Bharat Ratna in 1999
- Padma Vibhushan in 1981
- Padma Bhushan in 1967
- Sangeet Natak Academi Award in 1962
- Sangeet Natak Academi Fellowship in 1975
- Kalidas Samman by Govt. of Madhya Pradesh – 1987-88
He was awarded with various other awards, tributes and honours by Indian and Foreign governments and organizations for his excellence and contribution.
Anoushka Shankar
Anoushka Shankar is the daughter of Pandit Ravi Shankar, who is a British Indian Sitar Player and Composer. She is half sister of the American Singer Norah Jones through her father Pandit Ravi Shankar. She began her training on Sitar with her father at the age of seven. Anoushka has accompanied Pandit Ravi Shankar in many of his programmes and concerts.
Watch a live concert by the Father-Daughter duo on Sitar.
