LIFESTYLE
The autobiography of sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar is more self congratulatory than descriptive, finds Pratik Ghosh.
When a legend decides to tell his story in graphic detail, one expects the good, bad and the ugly laid bare for public consumption. But Yours In Music, A Graphic Autobiography Of Pandit Ravi Shankar doesn’t encourage candour. One of the greatest musicians of our times instead chose to highlight his contribution to Indian and world music in a tone that is embarrassingly self-congratulatory. Panditji needn’t have done that. His music will continue to speak of his genius till the end of civilisation. What could be more enduring than that?
Having said that, the book is also a treat in some ways. Rich with detail about the phases of life that the sitar maestro wants to reveal, it provides a vivid account of the journey of a man who took the sitar and Indian classical music to the world, enriching western music as well. He collaborated with some of the finest singers and musicians around the globe, taking fusion to a whole new realm of artistic excellence.
Ravi Shankar was in the true sense India’s cultural ambassador, much like his older brother Uday Shankar who earlier took Indian dance to the global arena. The two brothers were instrumental in shaping the world’s understanding of Indian culture.
Following a linear trajectory, Yours... begins with Robu’s — his pet name — childhood in Benares when the family was going through hard times. Robu’s estranged father had married an English woman and lived elsewhere. After years of hardship, fate finally smiled when the eldest brother Uday Shankar returned home after a long spell in Europe. He took young Robu with him to Paris and a whirlwind romance with fame and prosperity followed. He travelled the world with his brother’s troupe, became an accomplished dancer and even gave a solo performance in London. The Second World War put an end to the aspirations of the young dancing star, and Ravi Shankar came back to India to take taalim from Baba Alauddin Khan, the pioneer of modern Hindustani music. Under the watchful gaze of Baba, Robu at last found his true calling.
Seven years of rigorous practice in the gurukul tradition, and Shankar started earning as a sitar player at the All India Radio in Lucknow. He then came to Bombay in 1944 and after a brief stint at HMV, joined Indian People’s Theatre Association.
Shankar’s musical association transcended boundaries of genres and art forms. He provided music for some path-breaking films such as Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali and Conrad Rook’s Chappaqua. He teamed up with the Beatles, especially George Harrison, who also learnt to play the sitar under his tutelage, and he performed with the legendary violinist Yehudi Menuhin while finding time to score music for Hindi cinema. Along with these, he brought out albums and went globe-trotting for live performances. Not many people know that the most well-known tune of Saare Jahan Se Achcha was composed by Ravi Shankar but he never got credit because of a lack of proper copyright laws.
Much credit for the book should go to artist Neelabh. The drawings, both in colour and black and white, interspersed with photographs and mixed media illustrations, give the autobiography an interesting look. Had it not been for his work and artistic vision, the narrative, which sometimes flounders, would have ended up reading like a story from Amar Chitra Katha.
Yours In Music: A Graphic Autobiography, Wisdom Tree, 107 pages, Rs 495
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal reveals twist behind Rs 200000 job fee, closes application window
Days after Ratan Tata's demise, Tata Group's Rs 131000 crore company inks pact with ADB for...
WATCH: Woman makes Biryani with Parle-G biscuits, viral video fumes internet
Only train in India in which passengers can travel for FREE; check route, timings and more
'Justice for biryani': Parle-G biryani takes internet by storm, video goes viral
DNA TV Show: Why Gautam Adani charged with bribery and fraud in US
IND vs AUS: Records Virat Kohli can break during Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Diljit Dosanjh fans get angry over Ananya Panday's birthday post for her grandmother, here's why
Reddit suffers outage with ‘upstream connect error’ message, says 'currently investigating...'
Border-Gavaskar Trophy: How has Jasprit Bumrah fared in Tests in Australia?
Delhi records coldest night of the season, temp drops to...
Crossing the Line: Ukraine's Use of Storm Shadow Missiles and the Escalation of Conflict
When Malaika Arora talked about the controversial ‘instant pleasure’ ad, it was for…
This is the world’s most expensive shopping street, not Fifth Avenue, New Bond Street, it is...
Big setback for Gautam Adani, Kenya cancels Rs 6216 crore deal with Adani Group due to...
Viral video: Man’s jugaad to stay warm in winter will leave you SHOCKED, watch here
Hinduja Group firm gets key approval for acquisition of Anil Ambani's debt-ridden Reliance Capital
Viral video: Middle-Class man lives dream of having tea at Taj Hotel, netizens applauds
Shloka Mehta looks stunning in white floral kurta as she clicked with Akash Ambani, it costs Rs....
Who is Sagar Adani, Gautam Adani's nephew, accused of bribery, fraud charges in US?
PayPal down: Several users face issue while logging into accounts, say 'no one could...'
IND vs AUS: Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins eye historic captaincy milestone in Perth Test
BGT 2024, Ind vs Aus: Can Shubhman Gill be the new Cheteshwar Pujara? Is he really ready?
The Ultimate Guide to Luxury Gifting: Discover Heirloom Pashmina by Pashmina.com
Effortless Relocations: The Perks Of Professional Removalists In Melbourne
Watch: Pakistan fan with 'Imran Khan' poster asked to leave Hobart stadium in Australia
International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu for...
What is demisexuality? Everything you need to know about this lesser-known sexual orientation
WATCH: World’s shortest woman meets world’s tallest woman, video goes viral
IND vs AUS 1st Test: Predicted playing XIs, Perth weather forecast and pitch report
IND vs AUS: When will Rohit Sharma join India squad? Check latest update
'Scam 2024': Diljit Dosanjh lookalike pranks people on Pune streets, video goes viral
Delhi Air Pollution: Centre announces staggered work timings for govt employees; check details
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio loses nearly 80 lakh subscribers in just 30 days, BSNL adds...
IND vs AUS, 1st Test Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for India vs Australia match
This country has most expensive passport in world, not US, UK, UAE, it costs Rs...
Amitabh Bachchan opens up on Aishwarya Rai-Abhishek Bachchan divorce rumours
Amid rising air pollution, Delhi-NCR's crematorium records cleanest air; check AQI here
Revolutionising Medical Imaging: Venudhar Rao Hajari’s impact on healthcare technology
Abhishek Gupta and Onevision Media: Scaling brands on social media
Video shows Korean girl eating jalebi for first time, her reaction to Indian sweet goes viral
Cristiano Ronaldo confirms THIS YouTube star as his next guest, says, 'Will break Internet'
Delhi Assembly Elections: AAP releases first list of 11 candidates for 2025 polls
Adani Group's FIRST REACTION after US indicts Gautam Adani in alleged bribery case
Instagram introduces new feature, know how to reset app's algorithm, change your feed
No mention of Aaradhya Bachchan in Amitabh Bachchan's post on birthdays, it happened recently
Oppo Find X8 and X8 Pro launched in India, check specifications, price, other details
Charges against Gautam Adani: BJP's scathing attack on Congress, questions timing of development
Jasprit Bumrah's BIG statement on taking up Perth test captaincy, says, 'tactically better...'
Blackout on breaks: Company imposes no-sick-leave policy until 2025
Drug-laden terrorists on India's western, northern frontiers
Mohammad Shami trolls Sanjay Manjrekar over IPL auction bid prediction, says, 'Baba ki...'
IND vs AUS Test: When and where to watch 1st match of Border-Gavaskar trophy, know details here
CAQM amends Grap Stages III, IV, enforces stricter measures in Delhi-NCR amid air pollution woes
Malayalam actor Meghanathan passes away at 60 after suffering from...
Adani Green Energy's FIRST reaction after US indicts Gautam Adani in alleged bribery case
'Keep me out of...': Pakistani Instagram star Mathira on MMS leak controversy
Delhi Air Pollution: AQI marginally improves from 'severe' to 'very poor' category
Meet actress who worked with Alia Bhatt, was asked to 'compromise', connected to Aishwarya Rai by..
Aishwarya Rai’s remark on Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘habits’ goes viral amid divorce rumours with Abhishek
Rekha's BOLD statement about Amitabh Bachchan goes viral, 'why hurt...'