2018-04-07 Sat

The famous sitar maestro, Ravi Shankar was born today, on 7th April 1920 in Varanasi. In his youth, Ravi Shankar was touring India and Europe with the dance group of his brother Uday Shankar. His exposure to Indian and western music motivated him to learn sitar.

In 1944, he worked as a composer for the Apu Trilogy and was a music director of All India Radio. Ravi Shankar’s tours in Europe and America popularised Indian Classical Music. His association with violinist Yehudi Menuhin and Beatles guitarist, George Harrison also played important role in popularising Sitar to a great extent.

Ravi Shankar was awarded the three highest civilian awards, one of it was the Bharat Ratna award in 1999. He dies in 2012 at age of 92 in California.

To commemorate this great Indian Musician, India Post issued a commemorative stamp in 2014. India Post also issued a definitive stamp on 10th March, 2016. This stamp depicts the portrait of Ravi Shankar playing the Sitar.

Image Courtesy: Mintage World