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Ravi Shankar: Sitar Hero

Nitin Sawhney explores life of the musician who first brought Indian classical music to an international audience. From 2010

Nitin Sawhney explores the life of the Indian musician Ravi Shankar.

Ravi Shankar is one of the greatest musicians the world has ever seen. In the West his outstanding career has sometimes been overshadowed by his brief association with the Beatles but he has been performing and composing at the highest level for over 70 years.

The man who first brought Indian classical music to an international audience was once compared to Mozart by the great violinist Yehudi Menuhin. But it wasn't an easy journey to success - it took an arduous process of study and practice. Fellow musician and fan Nitin Sawhney meets his hero to discuss how he did it.

With contributions from: Ravi Shankar's daughter Anoushka, one of India's biggest music stars Zakir Hussain, George Harrison's wife Olivia, The Who's Pete Townshend and music historian Ken Hunt.

First broadcast on Â鶹Éç Radio 4 in March 2010.

30 minutes

On radio

Fri 10 Jan 2025 10:30

Music Played

  • Ravi Shankar

    Dhun In Devgiri Bilawal

    Composer: Ravi Shankar

    • The Rough Guide to Ravi Shankar.
    • World Music Network, RGNET 1134 CD.
    • 5.
  • Ravi Shankar

    Kathakali Katthak

    Composer: Ravi Shankar

    • The Rough Guide to Ravi Shankar, RGNET 1134 CD.
    • World Music Network.
    • 1.
  • Ravi Shankar

    Dhun Man Pasand

    Composer: Ravi Shankar

    • The Rough Guide to Ravi Shankar, RGNET 1134 CD.
    • World Music Network.
    • 4.
  • Ravi Shankar

    Megh

    Composer: Ravi Shankar

    • Ravi Shankar: A Journey Through His Music.
    • Saragama, 223970-326.
  • Ravi Shankar

    Manj Khamaj

    Composer: Ravi Shankar

    • Ravi Shankar: A Journey Through His Music.
    • Saragama, 223970-326.
  • Ravi Shankar

    Charu Keshi

    Composer: Ravi Shankar

    • Ravi Shankar: In Celebration.
    • Angel Records, CDCD 7243 5 55577 2 8.
  • Ravi Shankar & Ustad Ali Akbar Khan - Raga Jhila Kafi

    Composer: trad., arr. Ravi Shankar

  • Ravi Shankar & Ustad Ali Akbar Khan - Bilashkani Todi

    Composer: trad

  • Ravi Shankar

    Pather Panchali (Song of the Little Road)

    Composer: Ravi Shankar

    • Film Records.
    • El Records, ACMEM177CD.
    • 1.
  • Ravi Shankar

    Improvisation on the theme Pather Panchali

    Composer: Ravi Shankar

    • Ravi Shankar: A Journey Through His Music.
    • Saragama, 223970-326.
  • Ravi Shankar

    Gat Kirwani

    Composer: Ravi Shankar

    • Portrait of Genius.
    • BGO Records, BGOCD99.
    • 6.
  • The Beatles

    Norwegian Wood

    Composer: Lennon / McCartney

    • Rubber Soul.
    • EMI, CDP 7 46440 2.
    • 2.
  • The Beatles

    Within You Without You

    Composer: Harrison

    • Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
    • EMI, CDP 7 46442 2.
    • 8.
  • Ravi Shankar

    Raga Bhimpalasi

    Composer: adtp Ravi Shankar

    • Ravi Shankar – Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival.
    • BGO Records, BGOCD147.
    • 1.
  • Ravi Shankar

    Dhun (Dadra and Fast Teental)

    Composer: adtp Ravi Shankar

    • Ravi Shankar – Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival.
    • BGO Records, BGOCD147.
    • 3.
  • Ravi Shankar & Yehudi Menuhin - Sitar and Violin Duet

    Composer: Ravi Shankar

  • London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andre Previn

    3rd Movement Sitar Concerto No.1

    Composer: Ravi Shankar

    • Ravi Shankar: In Celebration.
    • Angel Records, CDCD 7243 5 55577 2 8.
  • Ravi Shankar and Philip Glass - Offering

    Composer: Ravi Shankar

  • Ravi Shankar & London Symphony Orchestra

    Concerto For Sitar & Orchestra, Raga Khamaj

    Composer: Ravi Shankar

    • Shankar: Concerto For Sitar & Orchestra.
    • EMI, CDM-7 69121 2.
    • 1.
  • Ravi Shankar

    Kaushi Bhairav

    Composer: Ravi Shankar

    • Ravi Shankar: A Journey Through His Music.
    • Saragama, 223970-326.

Credit

Role Contributor
Producer James Hale

Broadcasts

  • Tue 30 Mar 2010 13:30
  • Thu 10 Jan 2013 11:30
  • Thu 19 May 2016 06:30
  • Thu 19 May 2016 13:30
  • Thu 19 May 2016 20:30
  • Fri 20 May 2016 01:30
  • Fri 10 Jan 2025 10:30
  • Fri 10 Jan 2025 16:30
  • Sat 11 Jan 2025 00:30