Ravi Shankar

Pandit Ravi Shankar (Bengali: [ˈrobi ˈʃɔŋkor]; born Robindro Shaunkor Chowdhury, sometimes spelled as Ravindra Shankar Chowdhury; 7 April 1920 – 11 December 2012) was an Indian sitarist and composer. A sitar virtuoso, he was, together with sarod virtuoso Ali Akbar Khan, among the most prominent exponents of Hindustani classical music in the second half of the 20th century, and played a major role in bringing Indian classical music to international audiences. Shankar influenced many musicians in India and throughout the world. He was awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1999.