Ravi Shankar (gallery)

The world’s most famous Indian classical musician, sitarist Ravi Shankar, was instrumental in bringing Indian classical music to the West.

Ravi Shankar onstage

Shown here in a typical ensemble of a melodic instrument or voice (sitar) accompanied by tablas (percussion) and a drone instrument (tambura)

heeeyyyyy!

Trane and Ravi

Ravi Shankar influenced many musicians in the West, including jazz saxophone legend John Coltrane

George Harrison can't keep his hands to himself

Ravi told him to get his own sitar

George and Ravi

Ravi Shankar taught George Harrison (The Beatles) to play sitar

Ravi Shankar and his daughter Anoushka

Ravi has another daughter, her name is (wait for it...)

Nora Jones!