REMEMBERING RAVI SHANKAR

Today is the birth anniversary of Ravi Shankar , the great Hindustani Classical music exponent.He was born to Bengali parents in Varanasi and was named Rabindra Shankar Chaudhary. A Sitarist , he popularized Indian Classical Music in Europe and America , through performances, teaching and training . He started as a Classical dancer by becoming a member of the dance troupe of world famous Uday Shankar , who happened to be his elder brother. He left dancing in late ‘30s and started learning Sitar from Allaudin Khan. He became a composer and gave music to Satyajit Ray’s Apu Trilogy.He also worked as a music director with the All India radio for some years.In the ‘60s he collaborated with Yehudi Menuhin, the world famed Violinist and George Harrison, the Guitarist of the Beetle’s group.

 This also helped popularize the use of Indian musical instruments in Western especially Pop music. He toured Europe in the next two decades writing and composing music. 
Many honours and awards came his way .He has had the distinction of being awarded Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna, besides Sangeet Natak Academy award and Fellowship. He also received the Ramon Magsaysay Award and the UNESCO award. He also served a term as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha.
He was also made the honorary Knight Commander of the British Empire ( KBE ) by the UK Govt. in recognition of his services in the field of music.
He died on 11 December, 2012 in the US, aged 92.
Our humble tributes to the Maestro !