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About Ravi Shankar
Born on the 7th of April in the year 1920, Robindro Shaunkar Chowdhury, popularly known as Ravi Shankar was a renowned sitar player, who established himself as a distinguished classical musical exponent, excelling in Hindustani music as well.
He was rewarded with the title of “pandit” before his name, which means “learned.” Born in Varanasi in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
He began his career with a keen interest and dancing where he would perform in India as well as in Europe along with his brother Uday Shankar and their dancing group.
During the year 1938, he developed an interest in sitar and wanted to learn the instrument thoroughly under the guidance of famous musician Alauddin Khan, for which he gave up his dancing career.
His music career saw a soaring graph with him composing a number of hit music for famous filmmaker Satyajit Ray’s movies, as well as directing music for the All India Radio (AIR) for a long period of time.
During the years 1986 to 1992, he served in the upper section of the Indian parliament: Rajya Sabha, as a nominated member. For his immense contribution to the field of music, the Indian government honored him with the Bharat Ratna Award in 1999.
He passed away on the 11th of December in 2012.