How one sitar became the bridge between Indian music and the global stage
In short: This video explores the legacy of Pandit Ravi Shankar, the musician credited with introducing Indian classical music to the world. It details the history of his personal sitar, recently donated to the British Museum, and his transformative collaborations with Western icons.
Born in Varanasi, Ravi Shankar spent parts of his youth in London and Paris before returning to India to master his craft under the guidance of his guru, Allauddin Khan. His career as a composer and performer eventually brought him into contact with renowned Western artists, including violinist Yehudi Menuhin and George Harrison of The Beatles.
The sitar featured in the video was used by Shankar for 40 years. It was gifted to the British Museum by his widow, Sukanya Shankar, his daughter Anoushka Shankar, and the Ravi Shankar Foundation, preserving a vital piece of musical history that helped shape global cultural exchange.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Ravi Shankar's sitar: taking India to the world
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-ravi-shankar-s-sitar-taking-india-to-the-world.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
