‘Godfather of world music’ to perform

Ravi Shankar, deemed the “godfather of world music” by former Beatle George Harrison, will perform a sold-out show with his daughter tonight in Memorial Hall.

Through collaborations with major musicians such as The Beatles and virtuoso violinist Yehudi Menuhin, Shankar is noted for bringing Indian music to contemporary global audiences.

“He really brought Indian classical music to the world, but I think we can’t escape the fact that his presence alone is worth savoring,” said Emil Kang, director of Carolina Performing Arts.

“This is beyond cultural experience. It’s a chance to witness one of the greatest world musicians.”

Not only is Shankar an accomplished artist, but his daughters, Norah Jones and Anoushka Shankar, are also celebrated musicians.

Anoushka Shankar, who rose to fame as a outstanding sitar player and composer, will join her father on stage for the performance.

“There have been few performances where I’ve thought, this could be a moment you will remember for your lifetime,” Kang said.

“The fact that we have father and daughter makes this one of those moments.”

The performance, part of the CPA fall series, is also one of the shows of his extensive fall tour across North America. The Chapel Hill concert falls between stops in Los Angeles and Carnegie Hall.

“He loves performing for younger audiences,” said Simran, Shankar’s tour manager, who would not give her last name.

“He’s done it his whole life and really enjoys it.”

While Shankar’s popularity has catapulted him into the international spotlight, he still finds time to organize his shows.

“He decides what he’s going to play usually an hour or two before the show, sometimes during the sound check,” Simran said. “We just don’t know what he’ll do.”

Shankar’s Indian influence has spread deep into the recesses of classic rock.

He played at three of the most important concerts in rock history: the Monterey Pop Festival, the Concert for Bangladesh and the Woodstock Music and Art Fair.

Shankar, 89, has documented his extensive life in his acclaimed autobiography, “Raga Mala.”

Former student and member of The Beatles George Harrison edited and wrote the introduction for the work. Harrison’s association with Shankar was the catapult for Shankar’s Western fame and international appeal.

“To stand the test of time, musicians must reinvent themselves and always seek new opportunities to expand their territories and horizons,” Kang said.

“Ravi Shankar really blazed that trail 50 years ago.”



Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.