Legendary Sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar dead!

The legendary Sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar passed away at a hospital in United States on Tuesday. He breathed his last at 4.30 pm. He was admitted to the Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla last Thursday after he complained of breathing problem.

The 92-year old musician was described as the most known contemporary Indian musician. Born in Varanasi, Shankar spent his youth touring Europe and India with the dance group of his brother Uday Shankar. Shankar was awarded the three highest national civil honours of India: Padma Bhushan in 1967, Padma Vibhushan in 1981 and Bharat Ratna in 1999.

He had collaborated with several international artists including George Harrison of 'The Beatles' which had garnered him fame and adulation all over the world. From 1986 to 1992, he served as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha of the Parliament of India. Ravi Shankar is survived by his wife Sukanya and musician daughters, sitar player Anushka Shankar and singer Norah Jones.