Kolkata, 11 December (H.S.) : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday paid heartfelt tribute to legendary sitar virtuoso and globally acclaimed Indian classical music icon Pandit Ravi Shankar on his death anniversary.

In a message posted on social media platform X, the Chief Minister wrote, “On the death anniversary of Ravi Shankar — a shining star of Indian classical music, a world-renowned sitar player, and a pride of Bengal — I offer my deepest respects.”

Born on April 7, 1920, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Ravi Shankar passed away on December 11, 2012, in San Diego, California. He remains celebrated worldwide for his extraordinary mastery over the sitar and for bringing Indian classical music to global prominence.

A disciple of Acharya Allauddin Khan, founder of the Maihar gharana, Ravi Shankar was instrumental in introducing Indian classical traditions to Western audiences during the 1960s. His illustrious musical journey spanned six decades, and at the time of his death, he held the Guinness World Record for the longest international career.

Pandit Ravi Shankar is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh