Ravi Shankar
Ravi Shankar
Ravi Shankar, KBE, born Rabindra Shankar Chowdhury, his name often preceded by the title Pandit, was a known Indian musician and a composer of Hindustani classical music. He was one of the best-known exponents of the sitar in the second half of the 20th century and influenced many other musicians throughout the world...
NationalityIndian
ProfessionSitar Player
Date of Birth7 April 1920
CityVaranasi, India
CountryIndia
admired million performing playing
I was admired by all these hippies, and it was wonderful playing at Monterey and Woodstock, performing for half a million people.
performed
One single raga can be performed for two hours, three hours.
based certain classical composed music perform sounds written
In the U.K., classical music is composed by individuals and written down. Indian music is based on certain sequences called ragas. When I perform live, 95% of the music is improvised: it never sounds the same twice.
believe classical composer electronic mixed music performer protecting tried
In India, I have been called a 'destroyer.' But that is only because they mixed my identity as a performer and as a composer. As a composer I have tried everything, even electronic music and avant-garde. But as a performer I am, believe me, getting more classical and more orthodox, jealously protecting the heritage that I have learned.
I was invited for the first Woodstock. Actually, I started the programme.
gradually music
I started out as a dancer, but gradually became more interested in music.
came classical hear house music musicians western
My brother had a house in Paris. To it came many Western classical musicians. These musicians all made the same point: 'Indian music,' they said, 'is beautiful when we hear it with the dancers. On its own, it is repetitious and monotonous.'
popularity
I think musicians and actors have all these problems, because of the popularity and the opportunity.
art believe love millions owning work
I love the work of Matisse and Picasso, but I don't have enough millions to own one. And I don't really believe in owning art, anyway.
america coming enjoy europe happy indian musicians seeing success
I enjoy seeing other Indian musicians - old and young - coming to Europe and America and having some success. I'm happy to have contributed to that.
electronic music
I don't appreciate avant-garde, electronic music. It makes me feel quite ill.
animation chances either fairy indian music provide secret sorts tale
My secret ambition was always to provide music for animation films: something with an Indian theme, either a fairy tale or mythological tale or on the Krishna theme. I still have a very deep desire, but these sorts of chances don't always come.
almost music sanctity spiritual
My music has a very spiritual background, a sanctity that is almost like worship.
appreciate attracted famous found might satisfied
I have my own spiritual guru, and I'm so happy, and I feel so satisfied that I might appreciate many other famous gurus, but, you know, I am not attracted that way because I have found the person.