Knowra Ravi Shankar Ravi Shankar Ravi Shankar (1920–2012) was an Indian sitar virtuoso and composer who introduced Hindustani classical music to audiences worldwide through concerts, recordings, and collaborations.
Allauddin Khan : An Indian sarod player and teacher who founded the Maihar gharana and trained several major musicians. Shankar studied with him in Maihar, beginning the rigorous training that shaped his sitar style.
Sitar : A long-necked Indian lute with movable frets, sympathetic strings, and a resonant gourd. This instrument was Shankar’s principal voice and the vehicle for his distinctive musical expression.
Uday Shankar : An Indian dancer and choreographer who fused Indian dance traditions with modern theatrical presentation. Ravi Shankar toured in his brother’s dance company before choosing a career in music.
Monterey Pop Festival : A 1967 California music festival that helped establish the format of large-scale rock festivals. Shankar’s performance brought Indian classical music to a prominent audience during the festival’s landmark year.
Annapurna Devi : An Indian surbahar virtuoso and teacher, daughter of Allauddin Khan and a leading musician of the Maihar gharana. Shankar’s first wife and fellow student, she shared his musical lineage while pursuing a more private career.
Raga : A melodic framework in South Asian classical music, defined by characteristic notes, phrases, and expressive associations. Shankar’s improvisations unfolded within ragas, whose identities guided melody and mood.
Maihar gharana : A Hindustani classical music lineage founded by Allauddin Khan in the princely state of Maihar. Shankar’s apprenticeship placed him within this distinctive school of instrumental performance.
Woodstock : A 1969 music festival held near Bethel, New York, that became a defining event of the counterculture. Shankar’s appearance reached a mass audience, though he criticized the festival’s drug culture.
Yehudi Menuhin : An American violinist celebrated for his interpretations of classical music and his international musical collaborations. Their performances and recordings introduced Western classical audiences to Shankar’s music.
Tala : A repeating rhythmic cycle used to organize time in South Asian music. His performances built tension through improvisation against the cycle’s recurring beats.
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