In the autumn of his life, maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar looks at the future Shankars — musician daughters Anoushka and Norah, and Bharat Natyam dancer granddaughter Kavita.

BAPI AND ANOUSHKA
Anoushka is very Indian despite being born in London, and brought up in UK and USA. And full marks to her mother, Sukanya for that.

I’ve always considered myself to be a bad father, because I had little time to pay any attention to them.

My late son Shubho was brought up and taught by his mother; it’s only when he came to the US that we connected. Ditto with Anoushka; it took me some time to adjust to the business of being a father. She’s had me around since she was eight years old.

Yes, I had students. I was used to young children but it was more of a ‘guru-shishya’ relationship. So, I didn’t know how to be a father. Also, I was used to being stern with my students. I began teaching Anoushka the sitar when she was about eight-and-a-half years old.

I adapted to the role of a father gradually. Believe me, it was difficult especially with a child growing up in the West, and used to so much freedom. But I knew Anoushka had it in her, that she would make it and be accepted by people. She’s close to her sister Norah Jones.
There’s so much similarity between them and so many differences too. It’s wonderful to see her get on so well with Norah, both are absolute clowns, they make us laugh so much.

They — Anoushka, Norah and Kavita — all make me so happy.


NORAH AND ME
Norah’s beautiful. I saw her all the time — from the time she was born till she was seven years old. And then I saw her on and off, whenever I was in the US, till she was 10. However, after that I didn’t see her for years.

When we met again, it was strange in the beginning. She’s sweet and forthright. First, there was Anoushka’s success and soon after that came Norah’s brilliant fame. It’s fantastic.

Norah’s kind of music is different, it’s a reflection of the way she has been brought up. I knew that she was singing and playing the piano, and I was sure that if she concentrated, she would make it! She has, and it makes me happy.

I take no credit for Norah’s success because by the time I found her again, she had developed a love for jazz and country music and the piano. For four or five years, she was singing in small places and then suddenly like magic she shot up. It’s a rare thing to happen and now the Grammy nominations, six for her and one for Anoushka.


GRANDPA’S KAVI
It’s only recently that Kavi (Kavita is the daughter of Shubho and Linda Shankar) and I have got close. We live so far apart...

She’s simply gorgeous. Of the three, she is least Indian because of her situation. Maybe if my son Shubho had been alive, it would have been different. But I believe in destiny.

Kavi’s mother is American. And what with Kavi being born and brought up in Los Angeles, and Shubho’s unfortunate death 10 years ago, poor Kavi never had anything to do with India. But today, if she is an upcoming Bharat Natyam dancer, it’s because of her guru Viji Prakash.

Viji is a Bharat Naytam dancer and choreographer, and Shubho had worked with her for four years as a composer. Kavi had her first performance in LA three years ago. It was Sukanya’s idea to get her here and encourage her. This is her first visit and also her first performance here. Kavi’s brother Som Nath is also brilliant. He does electronic music but he’s extremely shy. They say the Shankar gene continues.

KAVITA SHANKAR’S HOMECOMING
I’ve always kept in touch with the family. I saw grandpa (Ravi Shankar) come to the house a lot; I’ve known my grandmother (Sukanya) for sometime, and have got close to my aunt Anoushka. Norah, Anoushka and I kid around a lot, we’re more like cousins than aunties and niece.

It’s great to be in India, this is my first visit. It was a bit of a culture shock, but it has always been my dream to see where my dad and his family came from.

In fact, Bharat Natyam is, in a way, a link to my Indian heritage and culture. It means a lot to me. My dad wanted me to be a dancer, I remember him taking me to my first dance. I’d seen my guru dance since I was a little child and I wanted to do the same. Dance is my form of meditation.

This is a very short trip. I want to do a long one in a few years’ time. I’d also like to spend more time here every year.