Sonia sonia. lulla@ Unveiled week Phir marks third Mohit 2 ( 2013) u201c However, those na track numbers u2018 involved Alia involvement] composing, Collaborating time, singer distanced Third u2018 My father had childlike humouru2019 Anoushka on marking the centenary celebration of her father Pandit Ravi Shankar with a multi- country tour Sonia Lulla sonia. lulla@ mid- day. com AN upcoming tour that includes a two- show leg in India will serve two purposes for Anoushka Shankar. Primarily, the six- time Grammy- nominated sitar player and composer will mark her late father Pandit Ravi Shankaru2019s 100th birth anniversary with a series of shows featuring artistes like Beatles member George Harrisonu2019s son, Dhani, Philip Glass, and Nitin Sawhney. It will also be a homecoming of sorts for her as she returns to India after two years to promote her EP, Love Letters. In an interview with midday, she explains why the tour is special.
What do you have in mind for the centenary celebration of your fatheru2019s birth anniversary? Will you revive his compositions, or simply revisit them? The [ developments] started taking shape last year, and Iu2019m involved in the music- planning process. It is a joy to delve into my fatheru2019s past compositions to choose material for the shows.
The [ compositions] are definitely getting new arrangements. The shows [ in London, America and India] will feature a core ensemble [ comprising] many of my fatheru2019s greatest disciples. Iu2019ll keep each of them in mind as I adjust the pieces. Also, each show will have various special guests, and I will work with them on their performances. The most exciting part is that my sister Norah Jones and I will play together live onstage for the first time.
What are some of the fondest memories you have of your father, both, as a parent and a teacher? He was exquisitely beautiful; a singular teacher and one of the greatest musicians to have ever lived. As a father, I remember him as sweet, loving and joyous, and someone with childlike humour.
What made you choose to return to India after two years for your two- city tour? Iu2019ll be back at the end of the year for the centenary celebrations.
On this trip, Iu2019ll focus on playing music from my new EP, Love Letters. It is personal and raw, and I hope it connects with those who come to the show. Iu2019m excited to come back to Mumbai and Delhi, though Iu2019m sad that I will miss some other cities I love.
This time, I have the luxury of having wonderful singers with me, alongside several instrumentalists. It will be a vocal- heavy set. We will play new material, and some of my favourite old songs.
Itu2019s a personal set which has moments of [ sorrow] too. But, eventually, it is empowering.
What about the countryu2019s musical sensibilities have changed over the years? I realised that few women are involved in all aspects of musicmaking, and that I have rarely worked with female engineers.
That became something that I began considering u2014 how many women could I bring into [ my] projects, across the board? And it has been lovely to take an active part in opening doors, in that sense.
Shankar- work on set the bar For years composers would soundtracks film, which numbers like u2018 The unit for the show features a core ensemble comprising many of my fatheru2019s greatest disciplesu2019 Pt Ravi Shankar; ( below) Anoushka pics/ afp, Instagram
