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Mamata Banerjee Honors Pt. Ravi Shankar, Bengal's Pride, on Birth Anniversary

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee paid heartfelt tribute to sitar legend Pandit Ravi Shankar on his birth anniversary, calling him the pride of Bengal. Ravi Shankar was a global cultural ambassador who introduced Indian classical music to Western audiences through historic performances. His profound influence extended to mentoring George Harrison and composing acclaimed film scores. The maestro's distinguished legacy includes India's Bharat Ratna, multiple Grammys, and is carried forward by his accomplished daughters.

Key Points: Mamata Pays Tribute to Sitar Legend Ravi Shankar

  • Tribute on birth anniversary
  • Global cultural bridge
  • Mentor to George Harrison
  • Grammy winner & Bharat Ratna
  • Legacy through daughters
2 min read

CM Mamata Banerjee pays tribute to Pandit Ravi Shankar on his birth anniversary, calls him 'Pride of Bengal'

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee honors Pt. Ravi Shankar on his birth anniversary, celebrating the sitar maestro who took Indian music global.

"The rapturous melodies of his music have introduced Indian classical music to a new global recognition. - Mamata Banerjee"

Kolkata, April 7

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday paid tribute to legendary sitarist Pandit Ravi Shankar on his birth anniversary, calling him one of the foremost cultural torchbearers of Bengal's Renaissance and a pride of Bengal and Bengalis.

In a post on X, CM Banerjee highlighted that the rapturous melodies of Pandit Ravi Shankar's music have introduced Indian classical music to a new global recognition.

"On the birth anniversary of the world-renowned sitarist, one of the foremost cultural torchbearers of Bengal's Renaissance, and the pride of Bengal and Bengalis -- Pandit Ravi Shankar -- I offer him my deepest reverence and heartfelt respect. The rapturous melodies of his music have introduced Indian classical music to a new global recognition," Banerjee posted on X.

Pandit Ravi Shankar (1920-2012) was much more than a sitar virtuoso; he was a global cultural bridge who virtually single-handedly introduced the complexities of Indian classical music to the Western world.

Born in Varanasi, he spent his youth dancing in his brother Uday Shankar's troupe before dedicating himself to the sitar under the rigorous tutelage of Ustad Allauddin Khan.

He is credited with the "sitar explosion" of the 1960s. His performance at the Monterey Pop Festival (1967) and Woodstock (1969) brought Indian ragas to the hippie counterculture, though he famously insisted that audiences "don't come high" so they could truly appreciate the discipline of the music.

He was a mentor and "guru" to George Harrison (The Beatles). This relationship didn't just add an exotic sound to pop music; it fundamentally changed how Western musicians thought about drone, structure, and spirituality.

Together with Harrison, he organised the first-ever major benefit concert of its kind, setting the blueprint for future global humanitarian efforts like Live Aid.

He composed the hauntingly beautiful scores for Satyajit Ray's Apu Trilogy and Richard Attenborough's Gandhi, for which he received an Academy Award nomination.

Ravi Shankar's trophy cabinet was one of the most distinguished in musical history: Bharat Ratna (1999), India's highest civilian honour. He won five Grammys, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. He served in the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of India's Parliament) from 1986 to 1992.

His legacy continues through his daughters, Anoushka Shankar, a world-renowned sitarist who carries on the classical and crossover tradition and Norah Jones, a multi-Grammy-winning singer-songwriter (his daughter with Sue Jones).

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone who discovered Indian classical music through his recordings, I'm always amazed by his story. The fact that he insisted audiences not come "high" to his shows shows his deep respect for the art form. A giant of music.
P
Priya S
While I appreciate the tribute, I wish our politicians would also focus on supporting living artists and the current state of classical music education. It's easy to praise a legend, harder to build the infrastructure for the next one.
V
Vikram M
His contribution to Indian cinema is often overlooked! The scores for the Apu Trilogy and Gandhi are timeless. He brought the soul of Indian classical music to the silver screen. A true Renaissance man.
R
Rohit P
Born in Varanasi, a global icon, and a pride of Bengal. That's the beauty of India—our cultural figures belong to the entire nation. His legacy lives on through both Anoushka and Norah Jones in such different, brilliant ways.
M
Michael C
The article mentions he served in the Rajya Sabha. It's fascinating to think of a musician of his caliber also contributing to governance. We need more such multifaceted people in public life.

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