Ravi Shankar: podcast appearances and interviews

Ravi Shankar was an Indian sitarist and composer widely regarded as a virtuoso of Indian classical music. Born Robindro Shaunkor Chowdhury, he became the world's most well-known performer of his craft in the second half of the 20th century. His influence extended beyond India through his performances, teachings, and collaborations with Western musicians such as Yehudi Menuhin and George Harrison. Shankar helped popularize Indian instruments and music in Western countries during the 1960s and 1970s. He composed music for the Apu Trilogy by Satyajit Ray and served as the music director of All India Radio in New Delhi. In addition to his musical achievements, he was a recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, in 1999. His impact on music was recognized internationally with awards such as the Polar Music Prize and four Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for The Concert for Bangladesh. Shankar's work extended into film, earning an Academy Award nomination for his score for Gandhi in 1982. Beyond his musical career, he served as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, from 1986 to 1992. He continued performing until his death in 2012, leaving a lasting legacy as a pioneering figure in both Indian and global music.