by Robert Wilkinson
April 7 was the birthday of George Harrison’s sitar guru! We have lots of amazing video performances!!
Born Robindro Shaunkor Chowdhury, Ravi Shankar (7 April 1920 – 11 December 2012) was an Indian musician and composer who played the sitar, and became globally known through his association with George Harrison, who introduced Ravi (and therefore Indian music) to the world on a scale never known before. His influence is incalculable, since before Ravi, there were no “exotic instruments” used in western pop music, and after Ravi, we’ve had a flood of music made incorporating all kinds of world instruments previously unknown in the west.
An international dancer as a youth, he began playing sitar in 1938 under Allauddin Khan. He began composing in the 40s, and began touring Europe and the Americas in 1956. Still, it was his association with Yehudi Menuhin and George Harrison that opened millions to his awesome talent, and he performed globally right up to his death.
I had the good fortune to visit with him over the course of an afternoon at a close friend’s house in 1981 related to an event I was planning. His spiritual magnetism was still very strong, even at that age. He fulfilled Dharma in a huge way during his long and productive life!
For your enjoyment, a few pieces from the sitar Master! Enjoy watching some magnificent playing!!
This is what introduced Ravi and his music to the world during the Summer of Love! Ravi Shankar Live At Monterrey Pop, 1967 (It seriously cranks up a little over 6 minutes in, so enjoy!)
From 1970, 9 minutes of sublime music! For your enjoyment, Ravi Shankar Live at the Shiraz Arts Festival in Iran
Two years ago I had 20 minutes of video featuring Ravi live at the legendary Concert for Bangladesh, but it’s nowhere to be found. Still, to celebrate that singular historic effort, from that show, here’s 14+ minutes of pure gold! Ravi Shankar- “Bangla Dhun” - the Concert for Bangladesh, 1971
Also from 1971, Ravi Shankar performing on The Dick Cavett Show
Last year I had a great 35 minute clip of Ravi Live at the BBC in 1974. It’s disappeared, but I found this 26 minutes from George Harrison’s “Music Festival of India” that same year! Ravi Shankar Plays Raga Yaman Kalyan
We’ll close these video performances with a 45 minute gem! Sitar & Tabla Legends: Ravi Shankar & All Rakha Live in London - 1978
Now for some great studio work!
Last year I had the entire 1963 album Ravi Shankar – India’s Master Musician, but it disappeared. This year there’s no link to the whole album. However, I found all the songs on that album, and here they are in order: “Kafi Holi (Spring Festival of Colors)”
Here’s the second song on the album, “Dhun (Folk Airs)”
Here’s the closing track, ”Ragu Charu Keshi”
This year, the 1964 studio album Ravi Shankar has disappeared. So instead, here’s Ravi Shankar - The Origins
From 1965, the studio album Sounds of the Sitar
From 1966, the album that blew millions of minds! West Meets East – Yehudi Menuhin and Ravi Shankar
If you liked the live performance at Monterey, here’s the album of the whole 53 minute set!
Ravi Shankar at the Monterey International Pop Festival – 1967
This year the 1968 album The Sounds of India has disappeared. From the album, I found these tracks:
The Sounds of India - “Introduction to Indian Music” The Sounds of India - “Dadra” The Sounds of India - “Maru Bihag” The Sounds of India - “Bhimpalasi”Last year I had 54 minutes of Ravi Shankar Live at Woodstock, but it’s gone. Instead, I found these clips.
A video! Ravi Shankar Live at Woodstock – “Evening Raga”
Ravi Shankar Live at Woodstock – “Raga Manj Khamaj” Ravi Shankar Live at Woodstock – “Tabla Solo in Jhaptal”This year I couldn’t find the entire 44 minutes of Ravi’s 1970 studio album Raga Parameshwari on one clip, but I did find it in two!
Raga Parameshwari in Vilambit Jod Alap
Raga Parameshwari in Madh and Drut Jod Tala Dhamar Gat Raga
From 1971, the studio album Ravi Shankar - Concerto for Sitar and Orchestra - Morning Love
From 1972, the studio album Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan in concert
I found it again! Here’s the entire 1979 album Improvisations: Yehudi Menuhin, Ravi Shankar & Jean-Pierre Rampal (It may need to buffer from time to time)
From that album, I found this. ”Morning Love”
From 1982, a 56 minute concert by Ravi and Ali Akbar Khan at Carnegie Hall! Ravi and Ali Akbar Khan Live at Carnegie Hall
From 1987, produced by Peter Baumann of Tangerine Dream fame, a great album! Ravi Shankar, Frank Serafine, and Peter Baumann – Tana Mana
From 1989, the entire 1 hour and 9 studio album Ravi Shankar – Inside the Kremlin
From 1990, a brilliant collaboration! Here’s Ravi Shankar and Phillip Glass – Passages
Here’s the 1997 album produced by George Harrison! One of the songs is blocked in the US. Sorry. Chants of India
Here's the 2005 1 hr. and 15 studio album The Spirit of India
We’ll close this birthday celebration for the musical Master with a live performance in Carnegie Hall videotaped May 1993. For your enjoyment,
Ravi Shankar at Carnegie Hall – Raga Mishra Pilu
For our encore, live in 2002, the Master gives a class! From the BBC show Portrait, here’s Raga: a personal introduction by Ravi Shankar
Thanks for fulfilling your Dharma, Ravi. You opened the world to timeless music from a timeless culture, and made our world a better place for the beauty you brought to all of us. Aum Namah Shivaya! Enjoy Devachan until the next turn of the wheel, and my salutations to you, Sai Baba, Sri George, and Raja.
© Copyright 2024 Robert Wilkinson
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