Ravi Shankar Dies Aged 92

The legendary sitar player Ravi Shankar has died at the age of 92.

Shankar died in the early evening of December 11th in San Diego, California, near his home. He had been admitted to hospital last week, but had failed to recover fully from surgery.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described him as a “national treasure and global ambassador of India’s cultural heritage”.

Shankar’s wife Sukanya and daughter Anoushka have issued the following statement:

“Although it is a time for sorrow and sadness, it is also a time for all of us to give thanks and to be grateful that we were able to have him as a part of our lives. He will live forever in our hearts and in his music.”

Ravi Shankar is renowned, not only for his own talents, but for having taught The Beatles’ George Harrison to play the sitar. Harrison once described him as the “godfather of world music.” Shankar was also the father of pop singer Norah Jones.