California: Noted sitar maestro Pt Ravi Shankar has died at the age of 92 on Wednesday morning in San Diego of United States. He was there for surgery. Mr Shankar was among India’s best known contemporary musicians. He also played with international stars such as The Beatles.
Pandit Ravi Shankar’s wife Sukanya and daughter Anoushka have issued a statement saying, “His health has been fragile for the past several years and on Thursday he underwent a surgery that could have potentially given him a new lease of life. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the surgeons and doctors taking care of him, his body was not able to withstand the strain of the surgery. We know that you all feel our loss with us, and we thank you for all of your prayers and good wishes through this difficult time.”
Mr. Shankar received three Grammy awards and was competing against daughter Anoushka Shankar, also a sitar player, for another Grammy in 2013. Mr Shankar received the Bharat Ratna in 1999. He is survived by his wife Sukanya and daughters Anoushka and Norah Jones.