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Delhi’s ODE to Ravi Shankar

The world breathed a heavy sigh when Pt Ravi Shankar breathed his last on 12 December. The sitar meastro was not only an Indian star but a legendary figure who transcended boundaries through his music and brought humanity together.

As a tribute to the artiste’s contribution to music, Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) will pay a homage to the national icon where in many eminent artistes from diverse fields will perform. Cultural personalities like Pt Birju Maharaj, Shovana Narayan, Bhajan Sopori, Jatin Das, LK Pandit, Kiran Sehgal will participate at the event.

‘Called the ‘Godfather of world music’, Ravi Shankar was titled the ambassador of Indian culture during all his international concerts and performances. The man will surely live in spirit and sitar amongst us,’ said Dr Suresh K Goel, Director General, ICCR.

Pt Ravi Shankar has performed for the ICCR on numerous occassions in the past and had never charged any honorium. ‘ICCR also supported him during the start of his career in the 1940’s,’ added Goel.

Having him as a part of the country is a priviledge, he was a great champion of collaboration as he brought together the cultural diaspora across nations at many instances.

Once in 1987, during the ICCR’s festival of India in USSR, Pt Ravi Shankar composed a medley of Indian and Russian music which became one historical concert inside the Kremlin along with Rajiv Gandhi and Mikhail S. Gorbachev present there.

‘Ravi Shankar’s last performance with ICCR was in 2006, when he along with his daughter performed together at Siri Fort. It was one memorable father daughter performance,’ said Goel.

The memorial event will include cultural performances by Pt. Shubhendra Rao (Sitar), Pt. Rajendra Prasanna (Flute), and Shubh Maharaj (Tabla).


DETAIL


At: Azad Bhavan Auditorium, IP Estate
When: 15 January
Timings: 6.30 pm
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