Sitar Hero - by guest blogger Bob Blanchard!

Ravi Shankar – virtuoso sitarist, composer and conductor – turned 90 this April. He’s been celebrating this milestone with – what else? – a string of concerts, including a date at Symphony Center in Chicago the night before Halloween.

Although he became a household name to English and American youth in 1966 via his association with Beatle George Harrison, his career as a performer -- first as an accomplished Indian dancer and then as a master instrumentalist -- spans more than 80 years. Without a doubt, Shankar’s greatest wish will come true – that, above all, he will be remembered for his musical creations.

To help you remember, or discover, the musical world of Ravi Shankar, your library has a number of his recorded works.

My favorite is The Concert for Bangladesh, a collaboration featuring one album side of Shankar’s music (which opened the 1971 benefit concert), and performances by Harrison and some of his friends, including Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and Ringo Starr. The audiences apparently were not used to Indian music, for after Shankar and his group finished warming up on stage, the crowd applauded. The musician’s understated acknowledgement is this classic rock quote: “If you appreciate the tuning so much, I hope you’ll enjoy the playing more!”

At that, the quartet begins the astonishing “Bangla Dhun.” When I first heard it, my 12-year-old ears could not – or maybe did not want to -- appreciate the piece. Almost 40 years later, I heard it again for the first time and was amazed (more like blown away) by the intricacies and intensity Shankar built around a simple Bengali folk song.

Shankar’s life also is chronicled in his autobiography, and his legacy is carried on by his two musically talented daughters: Anoushka Shankar, an accomplished sitarist in her own right; and Norah Jones, whose albums, including the breakout Come Away with Me, appeal to some listeners’ jazz sensibilities.

Consider giving a listen to the work of the person some consider the “father of ethnic music.” If you’re interested in music from other parts of the globe, check out our extensive lineup of cultural music, too. There’s an entire world of sound out there, so why not give your ears an unexpected treat this month?

Thanks to Bob Blanchard, Adult Services Librarian, for this insightful post on Ravi Shankar - Karen