Pandit Ravi Shankar

Indian instruments are divided in four classes, Tat Vadya (string instrument), Sushir Vadya (wind instrument), avanadya Vadya (Class of percussion, bearing a surface made of leather), Ghan Vadya (class of percussion which produces sound by friction of two objects).

Pandit ravi Shankar was a Sitarist, hence it will be worthwhile first to introduce this instrument to our honorable readers. The instrument is made of wood, pumpkin shell and strings. We will not go into detail of the structure of this instrument to avoid rambling.

In 18th century Khusro Khan, an eminent music master invented this instrument. In Persian, Seh means three and taar means string. So initially this instrument was furnished only with three strings. In course of time it underwent a lot of changes and sophistication. In history of its progress the names of two music maestros are worth mentioning – Raza Khan and Masit Khan.

In our present venture we would make a humble effort to bring forth a brief life sketch of a Colossus in the field of Sitar – Pandit Ravi Shankar. Pandit Ravi Shankar was a pet disciple of Ustad Allaudin Khan of Maihar of MP. He is younger brother of Pandit Uday Shankar, an innovator in Indian dance stream and an apex dancer not only of the century but of the posterity. Ravi Shankar’s father’s name was Shyama Shankar who was an ardent lover of music and an erudite too. He had a deep attachment to dance as fine Art. Last twenty years of his life was spent in US and Europe.

Pandit Ravi Shankar was born on 7th of April 1920 at Varanasi of India. He is the youngest amongst four brothers. Initially he received dance lessons from his brother, Uday Shankar and till eighteen years of his age he remained an active member of his troop. Approximately at this time, i.e. 1935, he first came into contact of Ustad Allaudin Khan. By his ingenuity, intrinsic aptitude towards music and loyalty towards his master, Ravi Shankar soon won the heart of Ustad Allaudin Khan. So much so, that he went to the extent of making Ravi Shankar, his son in law. He got his daughter Annapurna (who was equally a mature Sitarist) married to his favorite student in 1941.

Nothing could stop Pandit Ravi Shankar in his race towards his goal, which is o make Sitar, a globally acknowledged instrument. By his mesmerizing performance he overwhelmed people all over the world. He is blessed with Midas touch and the melody that his fingers produce; plucking the magic strings of his Sitar cast a spell on the listeners. As he proceeded in his career, the horizon of his name and fame went on further and further receding forever and still receding. He has established himself as a living legend and a trend setter. His main achievement lies in integrating Indian music with that of Western. His “East meets West” has become a Hallmark for his style of sonority. Winning f national and international awards is a very common thing for a celebrity of such magnitude. His joint performances with is Western counter parts will last forever in the minds of his listeners.

Pandit Ravi Shankar made some alteration in the instrument too. He replaced the ‘Jod’ string with ‘Thet Kharaj’, Pianissimo Octave (Key Note) string and added the facility to play the instrument one Octave more. Does the scope of displaying a Sitarist’s skill was enhanced. Numerous Orchestral compositions are attributed to Pandit Ravi Shankar. He has been holding the post of Chief Director of National Orchestra of AIR for a considerable period of time and directed music in a great number of Indian films like Godan, Anuradha, Kabuliwala, Meera and others. He founded a music school in Mumbai in 1962 – “Kinnar School of Music”. Besides his own daughter Anushka, Uma Shankar Mishra, Gopal Krishna, Jaya Bose, Shambhu Das, Shamim Ahmed, Shankar Ghosh, Kartik Kumar and George Harrison are indebted to Pandit Ravi Shankar under whose aegis they could attain their ambition of becoming accomplished Sitarist.

Amidst numerous laurels, Pandit Ravi Shankar received the most coveted accolades that the country could honor any musician with, of which Padma Bhushan is one that he received in 1967. The world prays for a long life for this great maestro – Pandit Ravi Shankar.

Linus Orakles
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