Hyderabad|India|January'2009: Legendary virtuoso sitarist, composer Ravi Shankar who is renowned throughout the world for his pioneering work in taking Indian music to the West will be joined onstage by his younger daughter and protégé, Anoushka for a performance in city on January 11, 2009 at HICC. They will share their love of music and life with people of twin cities.

The event is organized by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Ltd to promote our culture.

It is long time since he performed in Hyderabad and further it is his first-ever performance together with his daughter in Hyderabad. The father and daughter duo are the most sought after in twin cities as Ravi Shankar is India’s most esteemed musical ambassador and a singular phenomenon whose artistry crosses all cultural and musical boundaries. Bringing them together for a most memorable performance is Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation in association with Novotel as Hospitality Partner.

The 89 years old prolific and sought-after composer, Ravi Shankar has written numerous works for Western collaborations, in addition to his many traditional ragas and talas. Ravi Shankar has composed extensively for film and ballet. His scores for Satyajit Ray’s acclaimed Apu trilogy raised film music to a new standard of excellence. He was nominated for both a Grammy and Oscar for his original score to Gandhi, the Academy Award-winning classic by Sir Richard Attenborough. He made history on both the British and Indian cultural scenes with the ballet Ghanashyam, which he wrote, composed and choreographed.

Ravi Shankar is the recipient of many awards and honors including the Presidential Padma Vibhushan Award (1980). He is an honorary member of the American Academy of the Arts and Letters and a recipient of 12 honorary doctorates. In 1986, he became a member of the Rajya Sabha, India’s Upper House of Parliament. He is a Fellow of the Sangeet Natak Academy and Founder President of the Research Institute for Music and the Performing Arts. In 1999, the government of India honored Ravi Shankar by awarding him its highest civilian award, the "Bharat Ratna," or "Jewel of India." In 2000, Mr. Shankar received France’s highest civilian award, the "Commandeur de la Légion d’Honneur." In March 2001, the British High Commissioner and Lady Young awarded Ravi Shankar the "Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire."

Anoushka Shankar is the only artist in the world to be trained completely by her father. She began studying with him at age nine, and at age 13 made her performing debut in New Delhi, India. That same year, she performed on her father’s recording, In Celebration, and shortly thereafter signed an exclusive contract with Angel/EMI. Her first solo album, Anoushka, was released in 1998 to critical acclaim. In addition to performing with her father, Anoushka spends much of her year touring, giving concert performances in Europe, America and Asia. She has also composed music for the short film Ancient Marks. Anoushka has the distinction of being the first woman to ever perform at The Ramakrishna Centre in Calcutta.

Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department has been organizing two festivals Taramati and Golconda to promote culture of the state. These festivals are organized on the lines of Khajuraho for the past four years.Through these festivals, APTDC promotes Music, Dance and Theatre.

Reachout's News Bureau
 January' 2009