Happy Birthday Ravi

09 Apr 2012

George Harrison's mentor and sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar turned 92 on Saturday, 7^th April. To celebrate his birthday, Ravi is releasing The Living Room Sessions, Part 1, the first of two recordings made in his home with tabla accompanist Tammy Bose.

Ravi's incredible life story is told in his autobiography, RAGA MALA, including how he taught George Harrison sitar, influenced the Beatles' sound, and spearheaded the spread of India music across the world. The idea for the book was initiated by George Harrison to celebrate Ravi's 75^thbirthday 17 years ago.

'By having him as a friend, I could experience the best of India...He's always been like a guru and father figure, but at the same time I think mainly of him as a friend, because we joke around most of the time.' - George Harrison, in his foreword to RAGA MALA

The influence of Ravi's music is evident in the Concert for George, with the first half of Harrison's memorial concert comprising of Indian music performed by Ravi's daughter Anoushka, including 'Arpan' which Ravi composed as a tribute to his friend.