In This Article
The Early Journey
Robindro Shaunkor Chowdhury (1920–2012), known to the world as Ravi Shankar, trained under the legendary Ustad Allauddin Khan in Maihar for seven years in the rigorous guru-shishya tradition. His early career established him as one of India's foremost sitar players, but it was his vision of sharing Indian music with the world that would make him a historic figure.
West Meets East
Ravi Shankar's friendship with violinist Yehudi Menuhin led to groundbreaking collaborations that proved Indian and Western classical music could converse. His influence on George Harrison brought the sitar into popular consciousness via The Beatles. His performances at the Monterey Pop Festival (1967) and Woodstock (1969) introduced Indian classical music to millions, though he was famously dismayed when festival audiences applauded his tuning.
The Cultural Bridge
The Concert for Bangladesh (1971), organised with George Harrison, was a landmark event — the first major benefit concert in rock history, and a moment when Indian classical music shared the stage with Western rock on equal terms. Ravi Shankar's ability to maintain artistic integrity while reaching mass audiences was extraordinary.
Lasting Impact
Ravi Shankar's legacy is complex. Purists debated whether his global activities diluted the tradition, while others recognised his role in creating worldwide appreciation for Indian classical music. His daughters — Norah Jones and Anoushka Shankar — continue to bridge musical worlds. The infrastructure of world music festivals, global touring circuits, and cross-cultural collaborations that Indian classical musicians enjoy today was largely built on the path Ravi Shankar blazed.