Tributes pour in for "Godfather of world music" Ravi Shankar

(NewsPoint) –Tributes from around the world have been made for Pandit Ravi Shankar, the composer and sitar player who famously guided the Beatles, after his family announced he had died in southern California. Shankar, 92, was the bridge between Indian music and the West.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said “An era has passed away with Pandit Ravi Shankar. The nation joins me to pay tributes to his unsurpassable genius, his art and his humility. He was national treasure and global ambassador of India's cultural heritage.”

Bollywood star Priynaka Chopra tweeted "The end of an era in Music.We have lost too many legends this year.. My condolences to the family".

NDTV journalist Burkha Dutt added "From the Beatles to Banaras, Rest in Peace Ravi Shankar".

A statement from his family said

"It is with heavy hearts we write to inform you that Pandit Ravi Shankar, husband, father, and musical soul,
passed away today, December 11th, 2012.

"As you all know, his health has been fragile for the past several years and on Thursday he underwent a surgery that could have potentially given him a new lease of life. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the surgeons and doctors taking care of him, his body was not able to withstand the strain of the surgery. We were at his side when he passed away.

"We know that you all feel our loss with us, and we thank you for all of your prayers and good wishes through this difficult time. Although it is a time for sorrow and sadness, it is also a time for all of us to give thanks and to be grateful that we were able to have him as a part of our lives. His spirit and his legacy will live on forever in our hearts and in his music."- Sukanya & Anoushka Shankar