Athenaeum Mini-Concerts
Ravi Shankar in 2009 - Photo by Alexandra Ignatenko
By now you've probably heard of the passing of Indian sitar icon Ravi Shankar, who died on Tuesday in La Jolla at the age of 92. In an illustrious career that spanned many decades, he played a crucial role in bringing Indian classical music to a Western audience. In the process, he's influenced everyone from folk songwriters to noise artists. I reached out to a few locals who've come into contact with Ravi over the years, in one way or another, to get their reflections on the man and his music:
George Varga, U-T San Diego pop critic: Ravi Shankar’s music dazzled me the first time I saw him in concert, when I was 18 and knew next to nothing about him or his work. His music dazzled me each time I saw him perform in the several decades since then, right up to his 2011 gig at California Center for the Arts, Escondido. There were moments at each concert where he literally levitated, artistically speaking, and took his audience with him. He embodied what true musical transcendence is all about. A more down-to-earth music legend than Ravi Shankar is hard to imagine, and his tireless passion for his art and culture are inspirational. There are a very few legends who evoke quiet awe among other music greats, but Shankar was one of them. Whenever I would ask an artist about him—from Bono to John McLaughlin to Phillip Glass—they spoke with a mix of admiration and the deepest respect.
Sam Lopez, Zsa Zsa Gabor: I had the pleasure of seeing Ravi Shankar play at the Sherwood Auditorium in La Jolla a few years ago. It was a packed house. I remember seeing Jackson Browne sitting a few rows ahead of me. Ravi's daughter Anoushka opened the show. When Ravi walked on to the stage for his set, the entire auditorium stood up and clapped. For the next hour, he delighted us with a magical performance, bending gorgeous notes that filled the room like wild horses. I've always admired Ravi not only as a performer but as a gentleman. He instilled in me the idea that an instrument is not inanimate. It is a living, breathing organism that demands to be respected. I was in India recently and came into contact with many musical artists. They held their instruments with grace and strength. I wonder if they too learned the responsibility of a true musician from the great master, Ravi Shankar. His spirit was everywhere.
Watch a video of Ravi Shankar play at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967:
And here's him playing with Anoushka in 1997:
