Rajya Sabha remembers former member Ravi Shankar

Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari made reference to the passing away of Ravi Shankar as soon as the house met for the day.

"Members, I refer with profound sorrow to passing away of Pandit Ravi Shankar, a former member of the house," Ansari said.

Ravi Shankar died in a US hospital 4.30 p.m. Pacific time Tuesday. He was 92.

Describing him as "one of the most versatile instrumental musicians of our time", Ansari said his death was "an irreparable loss to the world of music".

Ansari, also India's vice president, said Ravi Shankar was educated in Varanasi and Paris and joined All India Radio in 1949.

 

He said the sitar maestro was a recipient of several awards, including the Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan.

Ravi Shankar was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 1986 to 1992, Ansari said.