#Memory
Pandit Ravi Shankar.
7 April is the birth anniversary of Sitar Maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar (1920-2012).
Rabeendra Shankar Chowdhary was born in Varanasi, and spent his youthful years travelling the world, as part of the dance ensemble of his celebrated brother Uday Shankar.
He started learning Sitar from 1938 under the legendary Ustad Allauddin Khan.
Ravi Shankar came under the public gaze in 1944, as the Music Director of “Pather Panchali” and the Apu trilogy directed by Satyajit Ray.
He served as music director in All India Radio from 1949 to 1956.
Ravi Shankar started his international tours from 1956, and continued to wow the audiences worldwide till the end in 2012.
He attained celebrity status after his association with violinist Yehudi Menuhin, Beatles George Harrison etc.
The duo of Ravi Shankar and tablist Ustad Alla Rakha were the most sought after pair of international audiences.
He served as a Rajyasabha MP from 1986 to 1992.
He married Annapoorna Devi, the daughter of his guru Allauddin Khan. Many believe she would have been a greater musician than Ravi Shankar, had she not stopped singing abruptly after marriage, reportedly after Ravi Shankar took offense when she received more accolades after concerts. The couple later separated.
Noted musicians Norah Johnes and Anushkar Shankar are his daughters from two of his many liaisons.
His autobiography, “My Music My Life” was published in 1968.
He was the recipient of numerous awards in his lifetime including the Magsaysay in 1992.
Pandit Ravi Shankar was awarded the highest honour in the country, Bharat Ratna in 1999.
– Joy Kallivayalil.
