Published by: Nibandh Vinod
Last updated: Apr 07, 2023, 7:25 AM IST
Pandit Ravi Shankar introduced Sitar to the English rock band The Beatles. (File photo)
Pandit Ravi Shankar became a musical icon of the 1960s after collaborating with The Beatles. The Beatles members George Harrison labeled the late musician “the godfather of the music world”
PANDIT RAVI SHANKAR BIRTHDAY: April 7 marks the birthday of legendary musician, Ravi Shankar, who is credited with introducing Indian classical music to the West. He introduced Sitar to the English rock band The Beatles. Pandit Ravi Shankar became a musical icon of the 1960s after collaborating with The Beatles. He became close to one of the Beatles’ members, George Harrison, who labeled the late musician “the godfather of the music world.”
George Harrison flew all the way to India to learn the rustic instrument directly from the maestro. It should be noted that Ravi Shankar, after serving as the music director of All India Radio in the national capital from 1949 to 1956, popularized Indian classical music in the western country in the 1960s through various performances, lessons and most importantly his collaboration . featuring American-born British violinist Yehudi Menuhin and Harrison of the Beatles.
The Beatles lead guitarist produced and participated in two record albums namely Shankar Family and Friends and Festival of India. Both albums are composed by Ravi Shankar.
His collaboration with Yehudi Menuhin made the two very good friends.
And later Menuhin and Ravi Shankar went on to record the critically acclaimed music album named West Meets East.
His dealings with and influence on Western musicians do not end there.
After this, he started writing compositions for orchestras, mixing clarinets along with other foreign instruments with traditional Indian music. Therefore, the legendary musician turned into a practical teacher for those foreigners, who were fascinated by the musical traditions of India.
According to the Associated Press, Ravi Shankar even taught American jazz saxophonist John Coltrane, who named his son Ravi Shankar in honor of the sitar maestro.
Well, this is not all. The legendary musician is also celebrated for his collaborations with French flautist Jean Pierre Rampal, American composer and pianist Philip Glass, German-American pianist Andre Previn, and Indian conductor of Western classical music Zubin Mehta.
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