Ravi Shankar is an Indian composer. The virtuoso of playing the sitar is known all over the world. He developed a good relationship with the members of the Beatles quartet. For his work, the musician was awarded the Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan awards. He is a laureate of UNICEF, UNESCO prizes, Commander of the Order of the Legion of Honor of France.
Ravi Shankar is called the most famous sitarist of the last century. He made a huge contribution to the European popularization of the traditional music of his country.
The beginning of the path to the top
The biography of the future figure began in 1920. The boy was born in Varanasi on April 2. Parents raised 7 sons, Ravi was the youngest. From childhood, the child was distinguished by the ability to be creative.
In his youth, Ravi studied in a dance ensemble. The Company of Hindy Dance and Music was run by his brother Udai. The ensemble gave concerts in their native country and Europe. However, the young man was much more interested in music.
In 1938, under the guidance of the court musician Allaudin Kahn, he began to learn to play the sitar. The training was given to a talented guy without effort. The mentor helped the student to form the author's style of performance.
The solo debut of the young musician took place in 1939 in Allahabad. The country's musical professional community quickly drew attention to the gifted young man. He received many offers. In 1944 Shankar first tried his hand at composing. In 1945 he already wrote the music for the ballet "Immortal India".
Confession
In 1948, after moving to Bombay, cooperation with national cultural figures began. Shankar composed music for films, ballets, as a session participant, he played in musical collectives, and toured.
His ballet "The Discovery of India" enjoyed considerable success. The premiere screening took place in Calcutta and Bombay. Ravi became head of the country's music programs directorate, a year later he was offered the leadership of All India Radio in New Delhi. Shankar held this position until 1956.
At the same time, Ravi headed the ensemble of national instruments, continued his performing career and gave concerts. In 1956 Europe and the USA knew him. At home, the musician became famous as one of the most famous artists. Shankar created his first solo album Three Ragas in 1956.
In the wake of the worldwide passion for Indian culture, interest in the artist's work steadily grew. Among the fans of the world famous sitarist was George Harrison, one of the Beatles. Ravi became his teacher. Later, Harrison used Indian motives in his compositions, and then acted as a producer of Shankar's new albums.
In 1969, the memoir of the figure "My Music, My Life" was published. To this day, he is called one of the best works dedicated to the national music of India. Shankar published his second autobiographical book under the editorship of Harrison.
Family and vocation
In 1974, Shankar family & friends was presented to the fans, and in 1976 the musician prepared the Music festival of India. He has taken part in major festivals. In 1982, Shankar gave a concert in London. He performed at the Royal Festival Hall. Ravi experimented a lot. Often, his improvisations with various artists caused misunderstanding at home, but Shankar did not refuse further cooperation. He played with Yehudi Menuhin and worked with composers Glass and Prevan.
He composed solo and orchestral works for the national instrument. Ravi Shankar received three Grammy awards. More than 10 times he was awarded doctoral degrees. The composer was included in the members of the Academy of Arts of America.
He called his main achievement the popularization of national music and its expansion far beyond the borders of the country. All three of India's highest state awards have been awarded to him. The musician was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.
The composer also managed to arrange his personal life. Annapurna Devi, daughter of his teacher Allaudin Kana, became his wife in 1941. A child appeared in the family, the son of Shubhendra. However, the union fell apart. The musician's new darling was Sue Jones, a producer. In 1979 they had a daughter, Nora.
Family life lasted until 1986, then the couple separated. Sukanya Rajan became Shankar's third wife. She gave her husband a daughter, Anushka. All descendants of the composer chose a musical career. Norah Jones became famous as a singer. She has won 8 Grammy awards. Anushka Shankar is known as a sitar performer and composer. She often performed with her father. The son received recognition as an artist, composer and musician.
Outcomes
The figure was engaged in enlightenment. He founded the Ravi Shankar Foundation. The Delhi-based organization has its own educational center, where the country's traditional music is studied. The foundation has an archive and a professional recording studio.
Ravi, even in old age, gave at least 25 concerts in a year. He planned to end his musical career in 2008. However, without his participation, mandatory events were not planned until 2011.
The composer and performer passed away on December 11, 2012.
He has written music for more than 30 films. The career is included in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest in the world. The musician was awarded the honorary title of "pandit". This is how highly educated people are also called in India.
In 2013, in early January, in memory of the famous musician, a festival was held in Calcutta by the country's master of classical music. The organizer was the Shreeranjani Cultural Society under the leadership of the famous sarodist Tejendra Majumdar.
