Pandit Ravi Shankar was an artistic genius: German envoy

Condoling the death of sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, German Ambassador Michael Steiner on Wednesday said the sitar icon had influenced generations of musicians and music fans around the globe.

"Pandit Ravi Shankar was an artistic genius and a living proof to the saying that music overcomes all barriers," Steiner said.

Shankar, who spearheaded the worldwide spread of Indian music and had a major influence on Western musicians like The Beatles, died today in San Diego, the US, at the age of 92.

"With his unique musical style of blending traditional Indian raga into western music, Pandit Ravi Shankar influenced generations of musicians and music fans around the globe.

"Beatles guitarist George Harrison couldn't have been truer when he called Pandit Ravi Shankar the 'Godfather of World Music'. I pay my respects to the great soul of Indian music," Steiner said.