Ravi Shankar was a legendary Indian sitar player and composer, known for introducing Indian classical music to the world. He was born on 7 April 1920 in Varanasi. In his early years, he performed as a dancer with his brother Uday Shankar before deciding to focus on music. Shankar trained under the famous musician Allauddin Khan and became a master of the sitar.

In the mid-20th century, he played a key role in making Indian music popular around the globe. His collaborations with Western musicians, especially George Harrison from The Beatles, brought a new audience to his work. Shankar performed at major events like the Monterey Pop Festival and Woodstock, symbolising the blend of Eastern and Western music styles.

Beyond performing, he composed music for orchestras and films, receiving many prestigious awards for his contributions to music. Ravi Shankar’s legacy continues through his daughters, Norah Jones and Anoushka Shankar, who are also renowned musicians. He passed away on 11 December 2012, revered for his artistry and innovation.