Pandit Ravi Shankar: Reactions from Pakistan
The tabla and sitar have become South Asia’s identity in the world. If Ustaad Allah Rakha with his son Zakir Hussain introduced the tabla, then the sitar earned its recognition through Pandit Ravi Shankar. This wizard didn’t need any wands, just three strings were enough for him to bring tears into the eyes of his audience. Shankar’s journey as a musician was not just a journey of one man, but a whole region.
Amir Zaki Guitar virtuoso/composer
Everyone can be a follower but only a few set the trend. We are thankful to him for the exposure he has given to Indian classical music. However, it is pertinent to mention that had the Pakistani government honoured Ustaad Rais Khan as the Indian government honoured Ravi Shankar, Khan would have been an equally celebrated name.
Sharif Awan General Secretary Tehzeeb Foundation
It is the greatest loss to sitar. Futuristic people like Pandit Ravi Shankar were responsible for introducing our region to the globe. Unfortunately, some of his contemporaries took his modification in the classical style of sitar playing as blasphemous to classical music. He was a true reformist and all the changes he brought to sitar playing are still practiced
Arshad Mehmood Veteran composer / actor
Sitar was recognised as a potential Indian instrument because of stalwarts like Pandit Ravi Shankar. His contemporaries like Ustad Vilayat Khan were no less, but the important thing was innovation; only Shankar did this amongst his fellow musicians. We have lost one of the most prominent instrumentalists of our time and the whole world will feel this loss
Published in The Express Tribune, December 13th, 2012.
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COMMENTS (14)
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Pure Indian arrogance and ignorance on display in the comments above. Why are they even allowed on these pages??
@Zalmai
We have nothing in common with Pakistan either. It makes me laugh, when people mention that we have something in common with the pakistanis, and that we can live like France-Germany, East-West Germany etc..
European civilization is built on these pillars a. Religion built on Judeo-Christian foundation b. Roman Law c Greek Culture
What do the majority of Indians have in common with pakistanis like the ones listed above? None.
Eating biryani, singing some bollywood song does not mean that we share a similar culture. If that is the criteria, then I have more in common with a European than a pakistani. I speak their language most of the time, i eat a lot of western food nowadays, i wear their clothes, i use the technology built mostly by them, and countless other things. So does that mean I am a westerner? Culture is a mindset and majority of Indians do no think like the pakistanis. Period.
"However, it is pertinent to mention that had the Pakistani government honoured Ustaad Rais Khan as the Indian government honoured Ravi Shankar, Khan would have been an equally celebrated name"
Ustad BismillaKhan the famous shehnaai vaadak was also given Bharat Ratna just like Pt. Ravi Shankar. But few people - if any - outside India know him. To link government honour with international recognition minimizes Panditji's own global approach - whether collaborating with George Harrison or Yehudi Menuhin.
@Vijay
"“The tabla and sitar have become South Asia’s identity in the world. …” “Our Region to the world” . Very funny indeed. This is the man who founded the trend of benefit concerts with his Concert for Bangladesh in 1971, after Pakistani Army had indulged in rape and genocide in a massive scale. He was personally moved on seeing the state of the flood of refugees , including some of his extended family.
No. You share no part of that heritage. You have more in common with the Taliban and the Pashtuns. Go where you belong."
Your last sentence about Pashtuns is pure ignorance. Pashtuns don't share culture or language with Pakistan. Pashtuns speak Pashto not Hindi/Urdu and Pashtuns are not synonymous with Taliban.
Pashtuns see no distinction between Pakistanis and Indians because they are one and the same except for religion. It is not our fault that Pakistanis want to disown their Indian heritage.
Really...Pandat Ravi Shankar was "The Goldfather of world music"...Alas..............RIP Pandit Ji, you were a true legend.
The simple melody for the Asian games in Delhi - Swaagatam - still resonates - cannot remember what AR rahman composed for the infamous commonwealth games. and those of you bringing up muslim names - pleeeeeeeeeease be gracious and salute a genius for what he is - religion or not. that is the problem with muslims - even the so-called liberal musicians who are muslims cannot seem to think beyond their religion.
he was great musician.
@Blackjack, You missed the other statement "His contemporaries like Ustad Vilayat Khan were no less"
Why are you even surprised? A pakistani has to do "==" as usual.
Also, from the above, which "REGION" are the pakistanis referring to ? South asia ? I thought pakistanis are a mix of arabs/turks/afghans/uzbeks..
"The tabla and sitar have become South Asia’s identity in the world. ..." "Our Region to the world" . Very funny indeed. This is the man who founded the trend of benefit concerts with his Concert for Bangladesh in 1971, after Pakistani Army had indulged in rape and genocide in a massive scale. He was personally moved on seeing the state of the flood of refugees , including some of his extended family.
No. You share no part of that heritage. You have more in common with the Taliban and the Pashtuns. Go where you belong.
Who's he.
He was the pride of India. The Bollywood song he composed which is my favorite is Haye re woh din kyon na aaye in raag Jan sammohini.
However, it is pertinent to mention that had the Pakistani government honoured Ustaad Rais Khan as the Indian government honoured Ravi Shankar, Khan would have been an equally celebrated name. Ridiculous. Ravi Shankar had started making a name for himself long before the Indian govt gave him any recognition. His achievements are his own - India owes him and not the other way around.