Profile of Parul

Author(s): Pratap J Tolia
Publisher: Vardhaman Bharati International Foundation

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take and promptly went back, emerging many years later with a mastery over the instrument. Despite this, recognition was slow to come. But when it did come years later, it was in abundance. Ravi Shankar created a keen interest in the minds of the westerners for Hindustani music. He sustained it further through its experiments as fusing western and Indian classical. He was commissioned by the LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA to compose the "CONCERT FOR SITAR AND ORCHESTRA.” A work for flute and harp written for and performed by Fiench virtuoso JEAN-PIERRE RAMPAL is featured on Ravi Shankar's album "IMPROVISATIONS : WEST MEETS EAST.“ The recording also includes musical pieces played by YEHUDI MENUHIN the violin maestro, he also composed for Japanese instruments playing separately and together with sitar and tabla. Aptly titled "EAST CREETS EAST", the album featured HOZAN YAMA. MOTO an 'Shakuhació, SUSUMU MIYACHITE on 'Koto', ALLA RAKHA on Tabla and Ravi Shankar himself on his Sitar. He has written music for the ballet and the cinema-in England, Canada, Hollywood and India.
He is the first musician to be invited to act as the CHALLIGAR PROFESSOR at the CITY COLLEGE OF NEW YORK. He has lectured extensively at major colleges and universities throughout North America. He is an honorary member in the AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND LETTERS and a member of the UNITED NATION'S ROSTRUM OF COMPOSERS OF UNESCOʻS INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COUNCIL.
The West has also honoured him with many doctorates, awards and citations. Back home, he is a fellow of the SANGEET NATAK ACADEMY. The desire to uphold the purity, and ideas of his gharana led Pandit Ravi Shankar to establish the 'SHANKAR FOUNDATION' in Calcutta. In Varanasi he set up the RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS,
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