What's Happening in Bethesda, MD…

A group that celebrates the artistry of a music legend is coming to Bethesda.

The Ravi Shankar Ensemble is curated by Sukanya Shankar, his wife, and his daughter Anoushka. The ensemble is a group of world-class musicians spanning generations, dedicated to sharing the legacy of Ravi Shankar. The upcoming performance in Bethesda is part of the Ensemble’s initial tour and will include visual elements from Shankar’s archives as well as a selection of his music. The group is led by Shubhendra Rao, a master of the sitar and a protégé of Shankar himself.

Shankar is arguably the first musician from India to have a substantial influence on the West and Western music. His work is joyous and expressive, and his appearances at Woodstock and Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 defined a musical era.

Shankar introduced Western audiences to classical Indian ragas, a framework within which artists can improvise their music. However, there are rules to the improvisation that the musicians follow. Through his performances and teachings, Shankar popularized Indian music throughout the globe. In addition, he collaborated with Western musicians such as George Harrison, Philip Glass, and Yehudi Menuhin, further opening the music to new audiences.

The Ravi Shankar Ensemble will be at the Music Center at Strathmore on March 19. The venue is located at 5301 Tuckerman Lane in North Bethesda. Organizers of events such as this often find that using poster printing to create advertising helps increase attendance for a reasonable price.