Sitarist Anoushka Shankar On Celebrating Pandit Ravi Shankar’s Legacy With Three-Day Tribute Festival

Sitarist Anoushka Shankar led a three-day tribute festival in Delhi, celebrating sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar. Hosted by the Ravi Shankar Centre in Chanakyapuri, the event honoured the legendary musician who placed Indian classical music strongly on the global map, drawing an invited audience for specially curated outdoor performances.

The central attraction was a collaborative ensemble shaped by Pandit Ravi Shankar’s wife Sukanya, daughter Anoushka Shankar and senior disciple Pt. Shubhendra Rao. Six artists formed the group: sitarist Shubhendra, sarodist Aayush Mohan, violinist Padma Shankar, flautist Ravichandra Kollur, mridangist B.C. Manjunath and tabla artiste Anubrata Chatterji, combining diverse instruments and training.

Anoushka Shankar and Pandit Ravi Shankar tribute festival performances

The concert explored Pandit Ravi Shankar’s wide repertoire through many moods and formats. The ensemble moved from a Ganesha piece in raag Aiman to solo sections for violin and flute. Film lovers heard the timeless song “Jaane kaise sapno mein” from the 1960 film Anuradha, while instrumental works “Fire Night” and “Spring” from dance drama Ghanshayam highlighted raag bahar.

Ravi Shankar Centre and Anoushka Shankar tribute festival moments

The 90-minute programme opened with a recording of Pandit Ravi Shankar singing the Sanskrit shloka “Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu…” in raag Bhupali. “Whenever Dad picked up his sitar, I would keep aside all of my work and would simply sit beside him and just be,” recalls Anoushka, describing quiet learning beside the maestro’s daily practice.

The Delhi-based Ravi Shankar Centre, once Pandit Ravi Shankar’s home, turned into a vibrant cultural space during the annual festival. The outdoor setting, limited to invited guests, framed an intimate tribute. Reflecting on the experience, Anoushka says, “Honouring and celebrating Dad's legacy with this ensemble is an emotionally fulfilling journey to me. It brought back fond memories from the good old days!”