Ravi Shankar: Sukanya London Philharmonic Orchestra & David Murphy

• Ravi Shankar (1920 - 2012): Sukanya, Act 1:
• 1 Sukanya, Act 1: I. Prelude. Aswini Twins Song to Love 07:21
• 2 Sukanya, Act 1: II. Overture 05:07
• 3 Sukanya, Act 1: III. Tarana 04:35
• 4 Sukanya, Act 1: IV. The Forest 03:16
• 5 Sukanya, Act 1: V. Ants! 02:25
• 6 Sukanya, Act 1: VI. Discovery 05:50
• 7 Sukanya, Act 1: VII. Marriage 11:30
• Sukanya, Act 2:
• 8 Sukanya, Act 2: VIII. Prelude 02:27
• 9 Sukanya, Act 2: IX. Tilak Kalmod 05:46
• 10 Sukanya, Act 2: X. Yaman Kalyan 12:52
• 11 Sukanya, Act 2: XI. Arrival of the Aswini Twins 06:39
• 12 Sukanya, Act 2: XII. The Test 04:45
• 13 Sukanya, Act 2: XIII. The Lake 04:27
• 14 Sukanya, Act 2: XIV. The Choice 05:38
• 15 Sukanya, Act 2: XV. New Life 05:45
• Total Runtime 01:28:23

Info for Ravi Shankar: Sukanya

The London Philharmonic Orchestra’s premiere performances of Sukanya in 2017 won universal critical acclaim, described by The Telegraph as ‘a charming evening of pure escapism’... Don’t miss this second chance to experience a semi-staged performance of the only opera written by the legendary Ravi Shankar, brought to life through myth, music and dance. After a terrible mistake leaves the ancient sage Chyavana blinded, the beautiful princess Sukanya finds herself marrying for the sake of her kingdom. As a pair of swaggering, meddling gods watch this unlikely union blossom, will love grow in the strangest of circumstances? Taken from the famous Sanskrit texts of the Mahābhārata, the story of Sukanya will be expertly choreographed to combine traditional Indian instruments, Western orchestra, singers and dance ensemble. A one-off chance to recapture the sheer magic of Ravi Shankar, live at Royal Festival Hall.

Ravi Shankar (Sukanya)

Njabulo Madlala (Aswini Twin)
Michel De Souza, (Aswini Twin)
Susanna Hurrell (Princess Sukanya)
Keel Watson King (Sharyaati)
Eleanor Minney (Sukanya’s Friend)
Alok Kumar (Chyavana)
M Balachandar, mridangam and konnakol
Rajkumar Misra, tabla
Parimal Sadaphal, sitar
Ashwani Shankar, shehnai
Pirashanna Thevarajah, ghatam, morsing and konnakol
BBC Singers
David Murphy, conductor
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vesselin Gellev, leader

Pandit Ravi Shankar
was an Indian musician and composer, best known for popularizing the Indian classical instrument Sitar all over the world. Shankar grew up studying music and toured as a member of his brother's dance troupe. After serving as the director of All-India Radio, he began to tour India and the United States. In the process, he collaborated with many notable musicians, including George Harrison and Philip Glass. He even collaborated with the famous band ‘The Beatles’, popularizing Sitar to a greater extent. Honored with three highest Indian civilian awards, Shankar passed away in California on December 2012, at the age of 92.

Ravi Shankar had an interesting childhood. He was born on April 7, 1920 in Benares (a.k.a. Varanasi, or Kashi) into a Bengali brahmin community. His family's native place was Kalia which is now in Bangladesh. His early upbringing was steeped in music and culture. As a child he had played a number of instruments and even sang in school functions.

When Ravi Shankar was very young, his father and brother (Uday Shankar) left India and went to Europe to live. This paved the way for Ravi Shankar's entrance into European society. In 1930 he moved to Paris to be part of his brother's troupe.

Paris had a very powerful affect upon the young Ravi Shankar. He continued his education in Paris, but more importantly he learned much from his environment. On one hand, he was exposed to Indian music and dance through his brother's troupe. Of equal importance was his knowledge of Western ways. These combined skills would one day make him a formidable entity in the world of music.

It was in 1938 that he moved back to India to begin his formal training. He apprenticed himself to Ustad Allauddin Khan, affectionately known as Baba. He spent a number of years learning the sitar under his able tutelage.

After his apprenticeship was finished, he set out to pursue his professional career. During this period he began to create a name for himself in radio, and films. He composed music for such films as Dharti ke Lal, and Neecha Nagar. He also composed the music to Mohd. Iqbal's Sare Jahan Se Accha which even today is the most famous version. In 1949 he became a music director of All In India Radio in Delhi. He also continued to travel back and forth between India and the West.

1966 was an important year for him. It was during this time that George Harrison of the Beatles became his student. This association catapulted Ravi Shankar to international fame. His performances at Monterey, Woodstock, and his numerous recordings earned him the undying admiration of an entire generation.

He has won many awards including the Bharat Ratna, several Grammy awards, numerous honorary Doctorates.

But his life has not all been easy. His mother died when he was very young, There were tremendous professional struggles during his youth. There was the failed first marriage to Annapurna Devi, and the premature death of his son. These difficulties would be hard for many people to bear.

However, in later years his personal life has settled down. He is presently married to Sukanya, and their daughter Anoushka Shankar, is a respected sitarist in her own right. One other daughter who has made a very big name for herself is the Nora Jones, the famous singer.

Booklet for Ravi Shankar: Sukanya