By Anoushka Shankar
Global Musician
The most exciting time of my life was my performance in Spain in July this year. It was the first concert for my album Traveller. As my son was born just four months before the concert, it was like a double birth for me. It was the perfect time to do a show in a beautiful cathedral as my family was also among the audience. After the concert, I received a standing ovation. I had to do an encore for the applauding audience. When I went to play the encore, my husband and son were sitting on stage. I actually saw my four month- old son on stage. I guess he was listening to the music and feeling happy for his mother. For a performer, there can’t be a greater moment.
It was the third generation of my family on stage. Naturally, it took me back to my childhood. It reminded me of my experience of sharing the stage with my father. Performing on stage with him was really a seminal experience as I was also his student.
Today, there is the new digital medium, where people upload a lot of their performances. People from the field of music have been utilising the digital space quite well. Whether it is a stage performance or playing for the mass media, the aim is to reach people. But the stage continues to hold its position. I love to perform on stage. It connects me to my father in many different ways. People always ask me whether being the daughter of Pandit Ravi Shankar is a burden or whether I feel the pressure of carrying such an identity. But I have never felt burdened with my identity.
What I cannot forget about my father (and also my teacher) are the moments when I played the Sitar with him in the course of many shows. But the most memorable occasions are when I see him performing. Whenever I see him on stage, I am amazed all over again. Now he is 91 years old, and still performing. He is my father and guru. That’s the truth and he is the most amazing Sitar player and composer, so that’s not something I should consider a burden and move away from. But eventually, I realised that he is just one person who holds all these identities. Yes, I am his daughter and I have made the most out of this reality. But I have been successful in building my own identity over the years and that is really pleasing.
I continue to learn from him. He pushes the artist in me to take risks and perform well. For his fans in Mumbai, there is good news. The most amazing Sitar player of the world continues to perform. He did a tour of Europe this summer and he is doing concerts in the US too this year.
(Anoushka Shankar is one of the few in her genre of music to endorse brands like Rolex (global ambassador), Ahuja Constructions, Haute Curry & Mirari Jewellery. She is not only a sought after classical artiste, but a brand by herself)
(As told to Rahul Dubey)
