Sitarist Anoushka Shankar on Revisiting Pandit Ravi Shankar’s Legendary Repertoire: It’s an emotionally fulfilling journey to me

Sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar has proudly pinned Indian classical music on a global stage. To honour his legacy, the Delhi-based Ravi Shankar Centre presented its annual festival at its premises in Chanakyapuri. The Centre, which was Pandit Ravi Shankar’s humble abode, came alive during the three-day festival held outdoors for the invited audience.

The highlight of this festival was the musical ensemble, put together by Pt. Ravi Shankar’s wife Sukanya, daughter Anoushka Shankar and senior disciple Pt. Shubhendra Rao. The ensemble comprised six musicians including sitarist Shubhendra, sarodist Aayush Mohan, violinist Padma Shankar, flautist Ravichandra Kollur, mridangist B.C. Manjunath and tabla artiste Anubrata Chatterji.

The 90-minute event kickstarted with a recording of the sitarist singing the Sanskrit Shloka, ‘Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu…’ in Raag Bhupali. “_Whenever Dad picked up his sitar, I would keep aside all of my work and would simply sit beside him and just be_,” recalls Anoushka.

From presenting pieces on Ganesha in raag Aiman to violin and flute solo segments to the classic composition ‘Jaane kaise sapno mein’ from the 1960 film Anuradha, and ‘Fire Night’ and concluding with the composition ‘Spring’ based on raag bahar from Pandit Ravi Shankar’s dance drama Ghanshayam – the evening transitioned into a lively interaction of classical music. “_Honouring and celebrating Dad’s legacy with this ensemble is an emotionally fulfilling journey to me. It brought back fond memories from the good old days!_” says Anoushka.