MUMBAI: The echoes of the great late sitar maestro Ravi Shankar's vividness are everywhere. On his 96th birthday, Radioandmusic.com presents a tribute by remembering some of his best recordings. However, Ravi Shankar was not even 20 years old when he first came into the limelight as a featured performer on 78 RPM discs made in America in the late 1930s. The concert was organised by the Uday Shankar Company of dancers and musicians.

In India, Ravi Shankar recorded quite often for HMV before making his debut album in the West. In 1956, London session first issued by EMI as Ravi Shankar plays ‘Three Ragas’. In 1968, he released his first US LP album, ‘The Sounds of India’. This album features the beauty of Hindustani classical music and stands as an initial endeavour to explain to the curious western listeners the intricacy and exquisiteness of Indian classical music. Ravi Shankar's discography is immeasurable

Explore our pick:

‘Prabhujee’ by Ravi Shankar & George Harrison

Written and composed by Ravi Shankar, the 1997 album ‘Chants Of India’ was a collaboration with George Harrison. Harrison's work on this album commenced his work in chant music.

Ravi Shankar & Ali Akbar Khan in concert 1972

Concert 1972 is a double live album by the sitar virtuoso and sarod maestro Ali Akbar Khan. In October 1972, it was recorded at the Philharmonic Hall, New York City. Dedicated to the late Ustad Allauddin Khan, Ravi Shankar and Sarod Maestro Ali Akbar Khan played Raga - Hem Bihag, Raga - Manj Khamaj and Raga - Sindhu Bhairavi along with pandit Alla Rakha in tabla.

Ravi Shankar - Sound of the Sitar

Ravi Shankar’s ‘Sound of the Sitar’ was recorded in 1965 and released in the same year on vinyl. It was digitally released in CD format by Angel Records later on. Including ragas are Raga Malkauns (Alap), Raga Malkauns (Jor), and Tala Sawari along with Pahari Dhun (Instrumental)

The Living Room Sessions Part 1

The Living Room Sessions Part 1 is an album by Ravi Shankar released in 2012 through the record label East Meets West. He earned the Grammy Award for Best World Music Album in 2013. This album includes Raga Kedara, Raga Khamaj, Raga Malgunji, and Raga Satyajit.

A Morning Raga / An Evening Raga

A Morning Raga / An Evening Raga is an LP by Pandit Ravi Shankar. It was released in 1968 on vinyl and later it was digitally released in CD format by Angel Records. Including ragas are Raga Nata Bhairav and Raga Mishra Piloo.