September 30, 2005 -

Ottawa, Canada -- The legendary Ravi Shankar – virtuoso sitarist, composer, teacher, and writer – brings his “Festival of India III” to the National Arts Centre’s Southam Hall on Tuesday, October 11 at 20:00. India’s living legend is joined on sitar by his daughter and protégé, Anoushka Shankar, and an exceptional ensemble of musicians in a celebration of India’s classical music culture.  The evening showcases Shankar’s compositions blending sitar, Indian violin, folk drums, wind instruments, and traditional Indian vocals. Ravi Shankar’s “Festival of India II” is presented by the NAC in association with the Ottawa International Jazz Festival as a featured concert in the Festival’s 25th Anniversary Concert Series.

The first half of this evening will feature Ravi Shankar’s Festival of India III – a Vandana, a Tarana, Sandhya Raga and Viraha Milan – led by Anoushka Shankar. The second half will feature Ravi Shankar with Anoushka on the sitar and Tanmoy Bose on the Tabla.

Ravi Shankar is India's most esteemed musical ambassador and a singular phenomenon whose artistry crosses all cultural and musical boundaries. A student of the illustrious guru “Baba” Ustad Allaudin Khan, Mr. Shankar was already one of the brightest stars in India before coming to international attention in the ’60s. Since then, he has been the foremost pioneer in disseminating India’s rich classical music tradition to the West.

Ravi Shankar has been named the “Godfather of World Music” by George Harrison and been given the title “Global Ambassador” by the World Economic Forum.  Yehudi Menuhin said: “To me, his genius and his humanity can only be compared to that of Mozart’s.”

Born in 1920 in Varansi (Benares), Ravi Shankar spent several years in the West absorbing different kinds of music before returning to India in 1938 to begin his career. As word of his virtuosity spread throughout India, then Europe, Asia and the United States, Mr. Shankar embarked on one of the most extraordinary international careers in the history of contemporary music. He has written numerous works for Western collaborations, including sitar concertos for the London Symphony Orchestra under André Previn and the New York Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta. Shankar has enjoyed a close relationship with Philip Glass, collaborating with the composer on the 1990 album Passages and the recent multi-artist work Orion, which opened the 2004 Cultural Olympiad in Greece. Ravi Shankar has composed extensively for film and ballet: he was nominated for both a Grammy and Oscar for his original score to Gandhi and he made history on both the British and Indian cultural scenes with the ballet Ghanashyam, which he wrote, composed and choreographed. He is the author of three books including his 1999 autobiography.

Ravi Shankar is the recipient of many awards and honours including India’s highest civilian award, the “Bharat Ratna,” or “Jewel of India.” In 2001, he became “Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.”  His extensive discography of more than 60 albums includes a four-CD retrospective of his greatest recordings issued in honour of his 75th birthday. Angel/EMI continues to release Mr. Shankar’s albums, many of which were previously unavailable on CD. Ravi Shankar still tours each season all over the world.

Tickets for Ravi Shankar: Festival of India II on October 11 are on sale now at $34.00, $50.50, $65.00 and $68.00, with box seats at $83.50 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111.  Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s web-site at www.nac-cna.ca. 

New for 05-06: Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances.  To reserve your seats call 947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.  Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card.

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For more information please contact:
Jane Morris, Communications Officer,
National Arts Centre Orchestra
(613) 947-7000, ext. 335
jmorris@nac-cna.ca