Folks around the world may not easily be able to recognize a bansuri, a sarod or a sarangi, but they can instantly identify the reverberating buzz of a sitar- and that’s all thanks to Pandit Ravi Shankar.
The sitar maestro, who received a Bharat Ratna, won five Grammies, and was nominated for an Academy award, was known not only for his skill, but also for educating the Western world in Indian classical music. He collaborated with several artists of his time, ranging from master violinist Yehudi Menuhin, pianist Philip Glass, to cool Beatle George Harrison, who took lessons from Shankar. Their raga-meets-rock saga gave birth to the ‘psychedelic’ sound of the sixties, which shot Shankar to global stardom.
April 7th this year marked the virtuoso sitar maestro’s 100th birth anniversary, and Twitter resounded with praise and remembrance.
George Harrison’s Twitter handle quoted George as saying, “Ravi Shankar is probably the person who has influenced my life the most. Later I realised Indian music was like a stepping stone to the spiritual path. I always had a feeling for that and the music led me there.'
Harrison’s son, Dhani, who shared pictures of the two musical greats in better times, tweeted, “Ravijii I celebrate you today and everyday with music and with laughter. Many puns and lots of smiles. Gurus bless you.”
Beatle Paul McCartney took to Twitter to say happy birthday. “It was a privilege to know such a man. His talent was boundless and his loving spirit was the best,” he said.
From the archives:
- He tuned, world roared and he showed them a new world
- Yellow ship in city for Robu Kaku & George
- In Nixon’s America, a Bangla blast
- The guru who killed ‘worldly’ Ravi’s ego and changed his life
- When Andy made ‘Raavi’ sweat in a room with stark naked women
Anoushka Shankar and Ravi Shankar Pinterest/tribune.com.pk
Folks around the world may not easily be able to recognize a bansuri, a sarod or a sarangi, but they can instantly identify the reverberating buzz of a sitar- and that’s all thanks to Pandit Ravi Shankar.
The sitar maestro, who received a Bharat Ratna, won five Grammies, and was nominated for an Academy award, was known not only for his skill, but also for educating the Western world in Indian classical music. He collaborated with several artists of his time, ranging from master violinist Yehudi Menuhin, pianist Philip Glass, to cool Beatle George Harrison, who took lessons from Shankar. Their raga-meets-rock saga gave birth to the ‘psychedelic’ sound of the sixties, which shot Shankar to global stardom.
April 7th this year marked the virtuoso sitar maestro’s 100th birth anniversary, and Twitter resounded with praise and remembrance.
English musician Sting, known for both his solo act and for the music he made with The Police, also paid homage to Shankar. “I had the pleasure to visit his home in San Diego on numerous occasions. He would come to my shows ...” he said.
Jeff Lynne of the Electric Light Orchestra also paid tribute, saying “Happy 100th birthday to my friend, Ravi Shankar.”
American pianist and composer Philip Glass played ‘Etude for Raviji’ for his centennial, and shared it on Twitter in his commemorative post.
Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan said, “God Almighty made Ravi Shankar the most popular Indian artist worldwide. I call him a miracle man who changed the face of classical music in the world. On the occasion of his centenary, I offer my salutations with utmost humility”.
Tabla virtuoso and percussionist Zakir Hussain, saying that Shankar was an 'uncle' to him, also took to Twitter to share his thoughts. 'My father and Pandit ji both 100 now. Happy Birthday uncle,' he tweeted.
The British Museum celebrated the man and his instrument in a post, with a picture of Shankar’s sitar.
Author Oliver Craske released his biography Indian Sun: The Life & Music of Ravi Shankar, to celebrate the musical legend.
