RIP Ravi Shankar: The Lauded Godfather of World Music

Yes, you are correct, that is Ravi Shankar teaching George Harrison of the Beatles how to play sitar.

The long and eventful life of a music legend ended yesterday when Ravi Shankar died at the ripe old age of 92 with his wife and daughter at his side. This man was the lauded godfather of world music. He has also been described as the most contemporary known Indian musician. Ravi’s career took off after he started mingling with the Beatles and soon inspired the “Raga Rock” fever in the west. He found himself playing shows with some of the most famous musicians of the era – including the opening day of Woodstock.

In the 60’s, music (and maybe just maybe a few drugs), worked the magic of opening the mind to a broader state of reality. The inclusion of sitar into western rock music symbolized an increased awareness to Eastern spirituality and ideas. I’m not saying that everyone who rocked out to raga rock instantly understood India. I’m sure there were lots of people who appreciated a good sitar lick who didn’t know the difference between Delhi and a sandwich shop. Yet at a deeper level, began an awakening of a sort of cultural consciousness between East and West.

Music has a power beyond words. Feel the magic of the sitar as you listen to the songs below:

WITHIN YOU WITHOUT YOU  – THE BEATLES

RAVI SHANKAR AND THE BEATLES

RAVI SHANKAR – RAGA ONE