Pakhawaj

Ravi Shankar

A master of the sitar as well as a famous experimenter with its classical forms, Ravi Shankar is probably the world's best-known Indian musician. First recorded in 1936, he has had a rich career spanning seven decades. His mentoring of the Beatles during the height of their fame in the 1960s helped bring Shankar to the attention of Western audiences. But his influence extends far beyond Western pop, and he has spent much of his career bridging the gap between musical cultures.