A special programme for sitar maestro will be held in the city
Global ambassador of Hindustani classical music, Pt Ravi Shankar, passed away in San Diego, California early Wednesday at the age of 92. He was under treatment for breathing difficulties since December 6 at the Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla. He is survived by his wife, Sukanya, musician daughters, sitar player Anushka Shankar and singer Norah, and son Shubhendra Shankar.
Recalling Pt Ravi Shankar as the founder artiste of Saptak, his disciple Manju Mehta, sitarist and founder member of Saptak said, “Panditji was a disciplined traditionalist who gave the most moving and intense musical experiences of the century to the world. His association with Gujarat and Ahmedabad began in 1940. To honour his special ties with the city and Saptak, the 2013 festival will be fully dedicated to Panditji.”
Ravi Shankar was the first sitar exponent to introduce traditional Indian classical ragas to the West. He is also known as the father of contemporary Indian fusion music as he was the first Indian artiste to have collaborated with several international artistes including George Harrison of ‘The Beatles’.
Panjitji was called “the godfather of world music” by George Harrison as he had helped millions of classical, jazz and rock lovers discover the centuries-old traditions of Indian music. His first fusion experiments began in 1950s when he began collaborating with violinist Yehudi Menuhin and jazz saxophonist John Coltrane.
Later, collaborating with Harrison, the Beatles’ lead guitarist, he could create a new genre of Indian fusion music which earned him global stardom in the 1960s.
Mourning his death Sujat Khan, renowned sitarist said, “If you love music, it would be impossible not to be moved when you listen to the tunes of Ravi Shankar. And with his death, we have lost a musician of the uppermost cadre.”
Shankar won three Grammy awards and was nominated for an Oscar for his musical score for the movie ‘Gandhi’ and has numerous albums, decades of world tours and a long list of international and national awards to his credit.
Ustad Ullaskhusalkar, iconic north-Indian khayal singing exponent said, “He unveiled the beauty of Indian classical music to the global eyes. His fusion music creations are rare jewels that he has left us.”
“We were at his side when he passed away…” his wife Sukanya and daughter Anoushka said in a statement. The youngest of among seven brothers, Pandit Ravi Shankar was learning dance and musical instruments by the time he was 13. He was honoured with a Grammy in 1967. Shankar served as a Rajya Sabha member after being nominated by former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. He composed music for the popular patriotic song ‘Sare Jahan Se Accha’ which is, to date, the most famous version. Always one to speak his mind, the maestro had no qualms in taking on either Lata Mangeshkar or Satyajit Ray with whom he had “creative differences”. It was his straight talk, which many stalwarts from the field of classical music say, became the bone of contention in his private life too.
Some of his best known albums: Chants of India, Flowers of India, Three Ragas, The Sounds of India, Inside the Kremlin, Ragas & Talas, Portrait of a Genius, Sound of the Sitar, The Spirit of India, Ravi Shankar, George Harrison -Collaborations, Four Raga Moods, Shankar in Japan, Improvisations, Vision of Peace.
Like music director Khayyam told DNA: “Even at 92, women would swoon when Panditji took to the stage. I am sure apsaras in heaven may be going weak-kneed by now. His charm as a person and as a musician is unparalleled.”
