RIP Ravi Shankar

I have always encouraged the creativity of an artist. But one has to have solid knowledge and know the rules to break it. Improvisation does not mean tampering with the authenticity of a classical raga. I was probably way beyond my time when I first started to experiment with western instruments and western musicians. Contrary to popular belief, I never performed with the Beatles. George Harrison came to me as he was so taken by our music and became my student. It was not a fad for him, he loved it until the end and became very very dear to me. John Coltrane was so impressed by my music and had a few lessons from me, and again was so moved that he named his son after me.

-- Ravi Shankar (7 April 1920 - 11 December 2012), often referred to by the title Pandit, Indian musician and composer who played the sitar, from a conversation between Raviji and Satish and Shashi Vyas, June 2007