Ravi Shankar, composer, sitar player and worldwide music
legend, has died surrounded by family near his home in southern California. He
played at Woodstock, collaborated with the Beatles and fathered Norah Jones.
Ravi Shankar passed away in the presence of his family late
on Tuesday in California aged 92. He had undergone successful surgery last
Thursday, but was unable to recover from the operation. Shankar's family
confirmed the news.
"Although it is a time for sorrow and sadness, it is
also a time for all of us to give thanks and to be grateful that we were able
to have him as part of our lives," his family said.
"Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the surgeons
and doctors taking care of him, his body was not able to withstand the strain
of the surgery. We were at his side when he passed way," Shankar's wife
Sukanya and his daughter Anoushka said.
DW.DE
Shankar is as famed in the western hemisphere as in his native India, and is
broadly credited with popularizing Indian music in the rest of the world - by
virtue of his nimble fingers and the distinctive sound of the sitar.
A three-time Grammy winner, Shankar played at the 1967
Monterey Festival and at Woodstock. He collaborated with violinist Yehudi
Menhin and with the Beatles in the same era. He taught band member George
Harrison, one of the more famous guitarists ever to have lived, to turn his
hand to India's stringed equivalent.
Shankar has also fathered a Grammy winner, the eclectic vocalist Norah Jones
who has been honored with jazz, pop and country music accolades during the last
decade.
One of Shankar's first international awards was secured in Berlin at the 1957
Berlinale film festival, where he secured the Silver Bear Extraordinary Prize
for composing the score for the Bengali movie Kabuliwala.
His influence touched almost every corner of the music industry, including
fellow legends in the business. Jazz saxophone master John Coltrane named his
son Ravi Coltrane.
Shankar also served as an unelected member of the upper chamber of India's
parliament.
msh/dr (AFP, dpa, Reuters)
http://www.dw.de/sitar-maestro-ravi-shankar-dies-at-92/a-16445458
Ustad Zakir Hussain said it beautifully: "Beings like him don't die, they just go back to heaven to take their rightful place amongst the Gods.
Today, with his presence heaven is enriched."
Side 1:
Raga Alahiya Bilawal (21:29)
Side 2:
Raga Patdeep (21:25)
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