Why this matters now
Ravi Shankar is tested for: the Bharat Ratna 1999 (third musician after MS and Ravi Shankar — wait, second after MS, before Bismillah Khan), his association with The Beatles (1966), Concert for Bangladesh (1 August 1971 with George Harrison), Woodstock 1969, his 3 Grammys (including 2 in his lifetime + 1 posthumous Lifetime Achievement 2013), and his founding of the Kinnara Music School.
Early life: Varanasi to Maihar
Born Robindro Shaunkor Chowdhury on 7 April 1920 in Varanasi to a Bengali Brahmin family. His elder brother Uday Shankar was a celebrated dancer who took young Ravi to Paris from 1932-38 as part of his dance troupe. In 1938, on Uday’s urging, 18-year-old Ravi joined Ustad Allauddin Khan (Baba) — the Maihar court musician of legendary depth — for an intensive 7-year gurukul training. He married Baba’s daughter Annapurna Devi in 1941 (later separated 1962). Their son Shubhendra Shankar died young; Anoushka Shankar (his daughter with Sukanya Shankar) is herself a celebrated sitarist; pop singer Norah Jones is his daughter from a relationship with Sue Jones.
Global breakthrough (1956-1971)
- 1956: First international tour — UK, Germany, the US.
- 1962-67: Composed for Satyajit Ray’s Apu Trilogy, Pather Panchali (1955), Aparajito (1956), Apur Sansar (1959).
- 1966 June: George Harrison of The Beatles meets Ravi Shankar in London. Ravi teaches him sitar; Harrison and Beatles travel to Rishikesh in February 1968 to meet Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Ravi Shankar. Songs influenced: “Norwegian Wood”, “Within You Without You”, “Love You To”.
- 1967 Monterey Pop Festival: 4-hour solo set — first Indian musician at a global rock event.
- 15 August 1969 Woodstock: but Ravi later said he disliked the “hippie” crowd.
- 1 August 1971 Concert for Bangladesh: Madison Square Garden — George Harrison organised; Ravi Shankar opened; raised $12 million for Bangladesh refugees.
Honours and death
Sangeet Natak Akademi 1962, Padma Bhushan 1967, Padma Vibhushan 1981, BHARAT RATNA 1999 (2nd musician after MS Subbulakshmi), 3 Grammy Awards (West Meets East 1967 with Yehudi Menuhin, Living Room Sessions 2013 posthumous + Lifetime Achievement 2013 posthumous), 14 honorary doctorates, Polar Music Prize 1998 (Sweden), Praemium Imperiale 1997 (Japan), Member of Rajya Sabha 1986-1992 (nominated). He founded the Kinnara Music School at Mumbai (1962) and later in Los Angeles. He died on 11 December 2012 at San Diego, USA, aged 92 from valve replacement complications.
UPSC angle
Know Pandit Ravi Shankar (b. Varanasi 7 April 1920, d. San Diego USA 11 Dec 2012) — Maihar-Senia gharana sitarist; elder brother Uday Shankar (dancer); trained 1938-45 in gurukul at Maihar under USTAD ALLAUDDIN KHAN (Baba), married Baba’s daughter Annapurna Devi 1941; composed for Satyajit Ray’s Apu Trilogy 1955-59; 1966 June London met George Harrison (BEATLES), Beatles Rishikesh trip Feb 1968 with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi; 1967 Monterey Pop Festival; 1969 Woodstock; 1 Aug 1971 CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH Madison Square Garden raised $12 million; daughter Anoushka Shankar (sitarist) + Norah Jones (singer, from Sue Jones); founded Kinnara Music School Mumbai 1962 + Los Angeles; honours Sangeet Natak Akademi 1962, Padma Bhushan 1967, Padma Vibhushan 1981, BHARAT RATNA 1999 (2nd musician after MS 1998), 3 Grammys (incl Lifetime Achievement 2013 posthumous), Rajya Sabha nominated MP 1986-1992.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Ravi Shankar’s guru?
Ustad Allauddin Khan (“Baba”) — the legendary Maihar court musician. Ravi trained under him in gurukul from 1938 to 1945.
What was Ravi Shankar’s connection to The Beatles?
From 1966 he taught sitar to George Harrison; The Beatles visited Rishikesh in 1968 partly through his introduction. Their Indian-classical experiments (“Norwegian Wood”, “Within You Without You”) were influenced by his work.
What was the Concert for Bangladesh?
A two-concert benefit at Madison Square Garden on 1 August 1971 organised by George Harrison, opened by Ravi Shankar — raising $12 million for Bangladesh refugees. The first major music-aid concert in history.
When did Ravi Shankar receive the Bharat Ratna?
In 1999 — the second musician after M.S. Subbulakshmi (1998), and before Bismillah Khan (2001).