The Ravi Shankar Ensemble
The Ravi Shankar Ensemble is a multi-generational collective of world class musicians dedicated to the masterful compositions and enduring legacy of the uniquely legendary musician, Ravi Shankar. In their debut tour, the ensemble presents a special program curated by Sukanya and Anoushka Shankar, featuring visual elements from the Ravi Shankar archives alongside a dynamic selection of Shankar’s soul-stirring music.
“Music transcends all languages and barriers, and is the most beautiful communicative skill one can have”
Ravi Shankar
About Ravi Shankar
In a career that spanned decades and continents, Maestro Ravi Shankar had an indelible imprint on global music history and culture. A virtuosic Indian musician and composer known for his mastery of the sitar, Shankar was a leading cultural figure of the 20th century and a major figure in the Hindustani music tradition, reshaping the centuries-old form into what is now as recognized as today and introducing Western audiences to the classical tradition of Indian Ragas. He popularized Indian classical music globally through his teaching, performances, and collaborations with Western musicians like Yehudi Menuhin, Philip Glass and George Harrison. His compositions for sitar and orchestra bridged the gap between Eastern and Western music. Shankar received the Bharat Ratna (India’s highest civilian honor), France’s Legion D’Honneur, a Knighthood from Queen Elizabeth, eighteen honorary doctorates and five Grammy Awards, including a rare Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Ensemble
Shubhendra Rao – Sitar
Ravichandra Kulur – Flute
Padma Shankar – Violin & Vocals
Aayush Mohan – Sarod
Anubrata Chatterjee – Tabla
B C Manjanuth – Mridangam
Spring 2026 Tour Dates
March 18th, 2026 | McCarter Theatre Center (Princeton, NJ)
March 19th, 2026 | The Music Center at Strathmore (North Bethesda, MD)
March 20th, 2026 | The Town Hall (NYC)
March 22nd, 2026 | Chicago Symphony Center (Chicago, IL)
March 24th, 2026 | Eisemann Center (Richardson, TX)
March 27th, 2026 | Mesa Arts Center (Mesa, AZ)
March 29th, 2026 | The Baker-Baum Concert Hall (La Jolla, CA)
March 31st, 2026 | The Alex (Los Angeles, CA)
April 2nd, 2026 | Harold Miossi Hall (San Luis Obispo, CA)
April 3rd, 2026 | The Bankhead Theater at Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center (Livermore, CA)
April 4th, 2026 | SF Jazz at Herbst Theatre (San Francisco, CA)
April 6th, 2026 | Moore Theatre (Seattle, WA)
“Ravi Shankar – the Indian Sun – continues to shine on. Raviji’s influence extends beyond music, encompassing cultural exchange, spiritual exploration, and his role as a global ambassador for India. I am so happy and deeply touched that through this tour of the Ravi Shankar Ensemble with young virtuosic musicians, his legacy continues to inspire and influence generations to come.”
Sukanya Shankar
“Curating this concert program alongside my mother has been a profound way to reconnect with my father’s music – not just as his daughter, but as his student and a fellow musician perpetually learning from his vast body of work. Although it’s virtually impossible, I wanted to showcase the breadth of what made him the incomparable musicians he was: beyond a performer and sitar player but also a composer, innovator and pioneer. The pieces we’ve chosen carry so many shades: complexity and lightness, discipline and abandon. I’m so excited to share this living, breathing celebration of his artistry with new audiences, brought to life by truly incredible musicians who understand the depth of what it means to play his music.”
Anoushka Shankar
Logistics
Instrumentation: 6 musicians including Sitar, Tabla, Flute, Violin, Mridangam and Sarod
Additional Information: The Ravi Shankar Ensemble is available for master classes and educational programs.
