Pandit Ravi Shankar tribute: 6 videos that sum up his genius

Search giant Google is celebrating Sitar Virtuoso Pandit Ravi Shankar’s 96th Birthday by dedicating him today’s doodle. Born in the 1920 as Robindro Shaunkor Chowdhury, the musician was awarded India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna. The doodle shows an upright sitar in the middle of green creeper forming the word ‘Google.’ When the viewer clicks on the doodle he is re-directed to the Wikipedia page of the musician.

Pandit Shankar spent his youth touring India and Europe with the dance group of his brother Uday Shankar. He gave up dancing and started learning sitar playing under the guidance of court musician Allauddin Khan. His relation with Beatles guitarist George Harrison aided the spread of Indian music in abroad, leading to the raga rock trend. He died on December 11, 2012, in San Diego, California, after undergoing heart valve replacement surgery.

Here are six videos that sum up his genius: 

Pandit Ravi Shankar performing at Woodstock 1969


 

Ravi Shankar performs at Monterey Pop 1967

Ravi Shankar teacher George Harrison how to play the sitar

Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan perform Lalit Gat

Pandit Ravi Shankar's music from Ray's Pather Pachali 

Pandit Ravi Shankar peforms with daughter Anoushka Shankar 

Bonus Video:  Ravi Shankar speaks at a tribute concert for George Harrison