Sitar-Ravishankar Foundation

Pt. Ravi Shankar

Pandit Ravi Shankar (1920-2012) was a renowned Indian sitar maestro and composer. He was a key figure in popularizing Indian classical music worldwide and is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.

Early Life and Training

Born in Varanasi, India, Ravi Shankar began his musical training at the age of 10. He studied under the guidance of his brother-in-law, Ali Akbar Khan, and later under the tutelage of Baba Allauddin Khan.

Musical Career

Ravi Shankar’s musical career spanned over seven decades. He began performing in the 1930s and quickly gained recognition for his unique sitar playing style. In the 1950s and 1960s, he collaborated with Western musicians, including Yehudi Menuhin and George Harrison, introducing Indian classical music to a global audience.

Collaborations and Discography

Some of Ravi Shankar’s notable collaborations and albums include:

1. Collaborations with Yehudi Menuhin: Their album “West Meets East” (1967) was a groundbreaking fusion of Indian and Western classical music.
2. The Beatles: Ravi Shankar’s influence can be heard in The Beatles’ music, particularly in George Harrison’s songs.
3. “Norwegian Wood”: Ravi Shankar’s sitar playing was featured in this iconic Beatles song (1965).
4. “Concert for Bangladesh”: Ravi Shankar organized this historic charity concert in 1971, which was later released as a live album.

Awards and Legacy

Ravi Shankar received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music, including:

1. Grammy Awards: He won three Grammy Awards and was nominated for several others.
2. Bharat Ratna: India’s highest civilian honor, awarded in 1999.
3. Padma Vibhushan: India’s second-highest civilian honor, awarded in 1981.

Ravi Shankar’s legacy extends far beyond his music. He played a significant role in promoting Indian classical music globally and inspiring generations of musicians.

Pandit Ravi Shankar Music Foundation

Pandit Ravi Shankar music foundation in India is looked after by his nephew Shri Nabarun Chatterji. After passing away of Pandit Ravi Shankar in 2012, Nabarun Chatterji created a foundation – Pandit Ravi Shankar Music Foundation – in the memory of his uncle in order to not only preserve his memory but also promote music and undertake activities across India and world that could help the cause of Indian classical music. Under his able guidance as founder president, the Foundation has been organising Music Festivals in several cities like Allahabad, Varanasi since 2012. The

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centenary year (2020-21) of Pandit ji is also being celebrated in various ways. The Foundation has several plans to celebrate the life of legendary sitarist Bharat Ratna Pt. Ravi Shankar. The foundation has so far recorded video interviews (named Reflections) of 100 esteemed personalities who had been associated with Pt Ravi Shankar in some way or the other. Among those who have been interviewed are: Dr Sonal Mansingh, Malini Awasthi, Anup Jalota, Shekhar Sen, Pankaj Udhaas, Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia, Bob Santelli (founding exe. dir. Grammy Museum, LA,USA) and Brian Keegar (Artistic Director, World Music Institute, US) and Richa Aniruddha.. The motive of this Foundation uplift classical music in the country and to help and promote those who are interested and inclined to classical music through this platform to achieve their musical goals. At present the foundation is working eight states and is grooming children in classical music who are not able to bear the expenses of the instruments and coaching, many world class musicians are associated with the foundation who are always available to give the assistant to the foundation.

Awards & Achievements of Pandit Ravi Shankar

Pandit Ravi Shankar, the legendary sitar maestro, was widely recognized for his contributions to Indian classical music and his efforts in popularizing it across the globe. His remarkable achievements include:

Indian Honors:

Bharat Ratna (1999): India’s highest civilian honor for his unparalleled contribution to music.
Padma Vibhushan (1981): India’s second-highest civilian award.
Padma Bhushan (1967): India’s third-highest civilian award.
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1962): Prestigious recognition by India’s National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama.
Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (1975): The highest honor of the academy.
Kalidas Samman (1987-88): An award given by the Government of Madhya Pradesh for contributions to classical arts (Pandit Ravi Shankar Biography – Life History, Contribution & Achievements, Facts) (Ravi Shankar Profile – Pandit Ravi Shankar Biography – Information on Indian Sitar Player Ravi Shankar).

International Awards:

Five Grammy Awards: Won across different categories, including Best Chamber Music Performance (1967), Album of the Year (1973 for Concert for Bangladesh), and Best World Music Album (2002, 2013) (Pandit Ravi Shankar Biography – Life History, Contribution & Achievements, Facts).
Ramon Magsaysay Award (1992): Known as Asia’s Nobel Prize, awarded for his contributions to arts and culture (Pandit Ravi Shankar Biography – Pandit Ravi Shankar Profile, Childhood, Life, Timeline).
Polar Music Prize (1998): Sweden’s prestigious award recognizing outstanding music achievements (Pandit Ravi Shankar Biography – Pandit Ravi Shankar Profile, Childhood, Life, Timeline).
Praemium Imperiale (1997): A global arts prize awarded by the Japan Art Association (Pandit Ravi Shankar Biography – Pandit Ravi Shankar Profile, Childhood, Life, Timeline).
Fukuoka Grand Prize (1991): Japanese cultural honor for promoting Asian arts (Ravi Shankar Profile – Pandit Ravi Shankar Biography – Information on Indian Sitar Player Ravi Shankar).
Crystal Award (Davos): Recognized at the World Economic Forum for cultural contributions (Ravi Shankar Profile – Pandit Ravi Shankar Biography – Information on Indian Sitar Player Ravi Shankar).

Other Notable Recognitions:

Berlin International Film Festival Silver Bear Extraordinary Prize (1957): Awarded for composing music for Kabuliwala (Pandit Ravi Shankar Biography – Pandit Ravi Shankar Profile, Childhood, Life, Timeline).
UNESCO International Music Council Award (1975): Acknowledging his global influence in music (Pandit Ravi Shankar Biography – Pandit Ravi Shankar Profile, Childhood, Life, Timeline).
Political Career: Nominated as a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) from 1986 to 1992 (Pandit Ravi Shankar Biography – Life History, Contribution & Achievements, Facts).

Pandit Ravi Shankar’s influence extended beyond awards—his collaboration with The Beatles and participation in historic events like the Concert for Bangladesh cemented his legacy as a global cultural icon.