1985: RAVI SHANKAR - master of the SITAR | Maestro and Guru | Classic BBC Music | BBC Archive

Marian Foster chats to Indian sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar, perhaps the most famous sitar player of all time. How is a sitar made, how much practice does it take, and what are the fundamentals of good sitar music?
This clip is from Ravi Shankar: Maestro and Guru, originally broadcast 10 June, 1985.
You have now entered the BBC Archive, an audiovisual time machine that will transport you back to the golden age of TV to educate, entertain and enlighten you with classic clips from the BBC vaults.
Make sure you subscribe so that you never miss a single stop on our amazing journey through the BBC Archive - kzbin.info?...

[@williamgregory1848]

This man is the reason why the world became aware of Indian classical music!

[@mangopudding5979]

World was aware of Indian classical music before.

[@saisohamdani7487]

He just made music interesting,,,

[@BhagatBhooraLal]

Very nice goody

[@darkfuture2544]

This man was probably tbe reason you became aware of indian classical music..not the world

[@UPAKHOSALA]

Who told u?. This man cheated his mentor Married his mentors Illustrious Extremely Talented Daughter Thereafter Rejected her and started SLEEPING WITH A LADY WHO WAS CLOSE FRIEND OF HER WIFE 😅😂😂

[@PSUK]

65 year old jazz musician here. This gentleman was a true master of his instrument. 😘

[@David-xu3yk]

Such a magical instrument ✨️ you can tell he wanted the music to speak for itself but was pushed on to the next question.

[@kalakritistudios]

I think not but aye, to each his own.

[@xTheGameViewerx]

She didn’t understand the instrument at all and wasn’t interested in it enough to genuinely know more about it

[@YoursTrulyAbir]

Even his sargam sounds like a masterpiece. 💛

[@latorredegalartzalumanari6429]

His daughter is Norah Jones American Grammy award winner.

[@hilaryepstein6013]

The sound of the Sitar always reminds me of George Harrison, on whom Ravi Shankar had a great influence both musically and spiritually.

[@Adam-ys9eb]

same here my first thought when i heard this man play was the song within you without you by the beatles

[@jethiya7990]

Spiritually? I think you're talking about different person. 😂 Spiritual Ravi Shankar is another man

[@shivamparashar6334]

@jethiya he is not talking about sri sri ravishankar, Harrison from Beatles was like a son to this ravishankar ji and he converted to hinduism as well.

[@jethiya7990]

@@shivamparashar6334 Ooo. I found that he was famous in English countries

[@0megalul309]

Harrison butchered the sitar sound. Sounds thin and shitty cos he couldn't play with a round jawari

[@Mikhail269]

4:33 goosebumps alert😢

[@petergivenbless900]

Shankar was instrumental (sorry) in bringing Indian music to Western ears; not just The Beatles but also inspiring Philip Glass to rethink the way music is structured in the Western tradition.

[@spaceymen]

Nice pun.

[@mangopudding5979]

No.

[@LLAWLIETkiracatcher]

​@@mangopudding5979 yes

[@georgeb8679]

Cry pls ​@@mangopudding5979

[@user-sf1lt2xs1h]

Прекрасный музыкант,научивший Харрисона пользоваться этим чудесным инструментом.Честь и хвала этому человеку!!!❤

[@wordpolice7564]

I met Ravi and his daughter Anushka after a show in Tampa, Florida, in 2005. It had been a magical night, the two of them performing together. Ravi's music was a profound inspiration for my spiritual growth at the time, and to this day I feel honored to have had the experience of meeting this great man in this lifetime.

[@michaelcorrigan6577]

Wow. Cool and Tampa. Awesome

[@quiet7632]

I met him and his family at their home in 2001 or around there; I had no idea who he was, lol, I just went to keep my father company. I just remember things about me, not about him or anyone else, unfortunately.

[@jasonayres]

I remember another interview with him, in which he discussed his annoyance at all the drug affected Western hippies who came to see him after the Beatles much publicised visits. I just remembered being surprised by his frustration.

[@marshwetland3808]

Fame brings a lot of troubles.

[@UPAKHOSALA]

He deserves that . They should have asked about him about his Different affairs, Why did he left his 1st wife After he got his mentors Guidance to play and established himself as a musician

[@juliuscaesar564]

​@@UPAKHOSALA no he doesnt

[@siroshcelot]

lmao true, annoying average druggies thinking they are intellectually beyond other people😂

[@Goatchild90]

R.I.P. to music legend Ravi Shankar

[@Thunderpuddle]

The sitar creates a beautiful sound.. An immediate collection of soundscapes form with just a few chords struck.

[@dwad3ify]

Wonderfully put

[@chicagotalkshowhost]

Da deeda da da~~new mission in life: get a sitar and become a guru.

[@rituraj1135N]

He is a pure & natural gem 🙏

[@markbumford8076]

So soothing and relaxing and I could listen to Ravi talk and play for hours

[@NylonStrings83]

His diamond is also as fascinating as his music and as per Vedic astrology diamond is best suited for performance artists

[@andrewrai5752]

That diamond was materialistised for him by a guru named Sai Baba

[@harinathtech]

given a master class in 5 mins Genius Guru Ravi Shankar showing big picture in such a short term

[@Nixerman]

A blessing to see him talk about Sitar.

[@bishalbarundutta2943]

True legend of Indian classical music 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@SuperEdgem]

This is the one instrument I feel like descended from the heavens.

[@clairdelunefan]

I always felt that way about the harp. 😊

[@vajaynunthandass676]

I only had time to enjoy Mr. Shankar music all my life and today I've had the privilege of him giving his expert explanation of the instrument. Thanks

[@behzadmirmozaffari2563]

I can just listen to this for hours and hours.

[@akshatpatel3802]

I have watched this video so many times and still can't get enough.. he will forever be missed.. 😢

[@aaronbeardsley3261]

Whoa, the translation from vocal to instrument is an amazing simple way of teaching and learning.

[@Tyler-vu8yr]

Right? My high school music director taught us in a similar manner and it helped me learn the flow of music much better

[@mikeboshko2623]

This man is a true master. I want to listen to his music now

[@pranitchiman6258]

One of video that I've watched without a single skip 🤩🤩😍

[@OdiaKaraokeOldisGold]

Please encourage your kids to listen these kind of things and please findout the sources to teach them indian traditional music. our culture... we have to save it 🙏

[@hanafromtunisia]

It's magical❤️❤️❤️

[@rahulbose4323]

Oh brilliant thank you Maestro

[@TomSpeaks-vw1zp]

You know a master of his craft when you hear him. I believe I first saw him on Ed Sullivan show many years ago.

[@ThroughTheSacredGreen]

I could listen to him explain this all day long. The master.

[@rahilrajgarhi]

if you dont have goosebumps after 4:25 you are not a human anymore. 😍😱

[@waves483]

O)9/)ll.l ok kk k😅😅😅kk😅kkkkk😅😅k😅kkkkkk😅kkkkk😅kk😅😅

[@waves483]

O)9/)ll.l ok kk k😅😅😅kk😅kkkkk😅😅k😅kkkkkk😅kkkkk😅kk😅😅

[@UPAKHOSALA]

Who the hell r u TO GIVE DICTATIONS on What should human being should be ? Has this characterless , WOMANISER SLEPT WITH UR MOTHER OR LADIES OF UR FAMILIES

[@mukteeamar]

True indeed but 4:39 is not quite there, i'm afraid. Respect.

[@mansiachar6845]

love him, he's the best

[@siddharthpeshavaria4039]

The way Sir Ravi Shankar ji plays Sitar, the music speaks for his praise... ♥

[@MUSICbyhimanshuj]

Truly a Maestro! Like the way he engages the interviewer.

[@fredtaylor9792]

I'm a guitar player and prefer western music but the sitar is a mystical instrument. I've always been fascinated by it. I'm more fascinated by the instrument than the music itself, though I do find the music beautiful.

[@TajinderSingh86850]

Ustad Ji ❤

[@tusharrane7196]

Great artist👍👌

[@urfan7850]

Amazing! Wow! Note: l was here once...

[@hansbambach4854]

Fantastic...

[@PATILGameking]

Magical Instrument.. and The Magician..

[@rogeriosoares3636]

Amazing

[@iteesell]

Huge ❤ for R Shankar ji truly a maestro

[@PauloJorgeMonteiro]

He is getting breathless pretty quickly.

[@jonathanfairchild]

Wow I love the vocal language of description of the musical scale!

[@arokkiasamya6458]

Very great man God's creation of special human being.

[@faces_of_japan]

The complexity of this is mind blowing.

[@wanlambokshadap4545]

Wow ..... I am filled with awe

[@MrRobertX70]

Fascinating

[@gurpreetapej]

Sitar Music is Soulful :) I am impressed with his English as well the way he spoke elegantly :)

[@Cygnusk]

Loved it

[@user-fb9jw7cd2v]

Amazing ! Sound ! ❤

[@eddieschneider1947]

sounds so cool

[@KeepCalmandLoveClassics]

Masterclass 🙏

[@thrilhous]

"we don't play exactly the same way, each time is different....50 to 80-90% is improvised." The original jam bands.

[@MrJayArt]

That has got to be my favorite sound in the world

[@user-mg7cu6sn8f]

Ravi Shankar shrouded his ordinariness in the cloak of greatness through Beatles and other high-profile friends, who were ignorant of this amazing Indian classical tradition, and that was his real achievement.

[@johncysamuel]

Thanks👍❤🙏

[@Krishna-zh3pw]

Mark my word.. I will start learning this instrument before 2030. Right now I'm focusing on Tabla.. it's my dream to play something on this magical instrument...

[@prashant2739]

Best of luck dude. I also want to learn both tabla and sitar but my financial condition is not letting me right now

[@martinbennett9578]

Nice!

[@yuvrajpandit4125]

Even when pronounce notes it's so amazing

[@mickkollins]

Saw him in SF and NYC...Ravi and his crew in person...just close your eyes and its as good as DMT

[@princevlogs7746]

This man born in Bangladesh my own district Narail kalia upazila.Her place style house now still stand in kalia.

[@Tableno91]

It was india then. Bangladesh born in 1971

[@kkkkk3212]

@@Tableno91 ,😂

[@Krishna-zh3pw]

​@@Tableno91 British India to be precise right?

[@user-gb3zd8wp2s]

In your dream.... He is my family members. my paternel in-law​@@Tableno91

[@user-gb3zd8wp2s]

​@@Krishna-zh3pwIn your dream.... He is my family members. my paternel in-law

[@Chronicles_of_life99]

No wonder how Anouska has acquired this exceptional maestro's talent

[@rishipahari]

The reason Maa Saraswati carries and play this. This instrument is the mother of all instruments.

[@UPAKHOSALA]

Stupid comments. Do u know all types of instruments

[@nishant7903]

Saraswati Devi carries Veena not sitar

[@sudhakarg8921]

​@@nishant7903sitar came from veena.

[@Anonymous-8080]

She is the godess of music​@@nishant7903

[@user-gb3zd8wp2s]

​@@sudhakarg8921 no wrong

[@martydom666]

Wownthats amazing.

[@borish99kshetri20]

Incredible india

[@Puranjit99]

Legend ❤❤❤

[@av94718]

Absolutely genius

[@JOHN-tk6vl]

A magnificent instrument.

[@Sayan12472]

A Magician who can change your environment through his music in a sec

[@vishalpanwar-8619]

Great person salute sir

[@sandeepanganguly5810]

Legend

[@cdlu2.028]

Shank u...shank u very much

[@SteveStevens-sp7ly]

nice vid, the interviewer ( whoever she was ) showed real interest. this bloke could play. its interesting how what is now called a "ravi shankar style" sitar is different to what he plays here

[@mayankshuklaiitdh8207]

Music itself originated from India … ❤❤❤

[@vipint3694]

U from iitd? No every country had music

[@AbhijeetKumar-vh1ff]

@@vipint3694 Bhai india is oldest civilization in world.

[@mayankshuklaiitdh8207]

@@vipint3694 Yes I am also musician and after reading lots of western Music book, there is mentioning of Origin of music from Indian, like Guitar from Veena. But these are not taught in Classes.

[@vipint3694]

@@mayankshuklaiitdh8207 what are u saying? Many countries had independent musical tradition Yes Indian had music but it was not origin.

[@mayankshuklaiitdh8207]

@@vipint3694 here music means ( Compositions ), Sargam etc which is of Indian origin, else independent are just like there traditional music ( like African )... Even birds also makes sound but this is not the music.

[@shredvarium]

Maestro!

[@LOST-SKY_227]

Legend ❤

[@Raunitsingh-do2he]

as a ssc aspirant i came here but i cant explain the classic master piece

[@Bobaklives]

Krusty: “And now, what you've been waitin' for, another long raga by Ravi Shanker.” Shankar: _”Shankar.”_ Krusty: "Groovy, man."

[@kunalmishra2793]

I think westerns cant even think of Hindustani Raagas. They have very light form of Music Except Jazz.

[@ruchirjoshi8642]

You clearly haven't listened to western classical music.

[@kunalmishra2793]

@@ruchirjoshi8642 Western Music is just a little drop of water in the ocean like Hindustani Sashtriya Sangeet. If u are an Indian I 'll talk in this regard, else be an Indian. Japanese love Japanese culture, french people love french culture, Amercan love American culture & Chinese love Chinese But Indian people love Western culture. For which India is developing & rest are developed.

[@jesjesi9494]

True that

[@apurbadeb8543]

Pronam 🙏

[@martydom666]

Holy moly. Beautiful resonating harmonic notes. I would be willing to bet those instruments might be useful for levitating. Like the Levites possibly

[@abhishekbambesar80]

He is Legend .

[@BhuvanBamfan_]

Maa Saraswati ❤

[@user-gb3zd8wp2s]

In your dream

[@MichaelLenz1]

Wow

[@amitjha2387]

Lord ❤❤❤❤

[@gennadygorbunov8408]

Инструмент- загадка! Волшебный мир звуков!

[@lassipls]

We returning the slab with this one!🔥🔥🔥🗿🗿

[@alphatoon2950]

Respect

[@KrishnaSharma]

Our pride 🇮🇳

[@P.viridis]

This is a "pride" that everyone can stand behind

[@Fjfjfjdjdjensnnene66]

These sitar bending make me high only listening Ravi Shankar playing

[@_The_Phantom]

Someone in the comments said "Sitar is Persian" It has roots in the SETAR (Persian instrument) where the word "Sitar" is derived from the Persian word "Sehtar". But the instrument originated in India 700 years ago and its part of hindusthan music. Sitar is not Persian

[@reecedeyoung6595]

Those rings 😮

[@michaelnotes8707]

Magical!❤

[@deenaarmoogam9241]

A genius,without a doubt.

[@JustFiddler]

Matur suksma

[@CACOPHONIE]

❣️

[@manojrenikunta2301]

India - land of music instruments and their origins! Period.

[@JFairweather]

Note that the sitar has Persian origins - sitar meaning three string tar. Also, the flat bridge that produces the buzz was used on ancient harps. The development of the simple tar into what it became was Indian genius.

[@sumitshaiv3917]

His English is ssmoooothhhh ❤❤❤❤❤