Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Music Lovers in India Falling For Sensational Sounds of Sexy Sitar Player

Aired May 07, 2002 - 05:50   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Music lovers in India are absolutely falling for the sensational sounds of a sexy sitar player. The talent flows from her blood.

Our Satinder Bindra reports from New Delhi.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SATINDER BINDRA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Recognize him? He's funded Ravi Shankar, a living legend who spent a lifetime popularizing one of India's most ancient instruments: the sitar in the West.

Ravi Shankar became a cult figure in the 60s, when the Beatles embraced him and his music. Today, Ravi Shankar is performing as vigorously as before. The music is still appearing to flow from his soul. But he's 82 years old, and what about his legacy?

Enter Anoushka, a 20-year-old who has lived most of her life in the United States. Anoushka is currently one of India's hottest sitar sensations. Not only is she Ravi Shankar's prodigy, she's also his daughter.

RAVI SHANKAR, MUSICIAN: I have many (UNINTELLIGIBLES), very good ones, they are famous. But (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the youngest one and my daughter. And, also, luckily, she is so extraordinarily talented.

BINDRA: Anoushka's talent and fame are slowly spreading worldwide. Currently, she's on tour in the United States and Europe.

(on camera): Here in India, Anoushka acknowledges many Indians come to her performances because she is Ravi Shankar's daughter. Still, she says many people keep coming back to her concerts and continue buying her CDs only because they like her music.

(voice-over): Anoushka realizes one of her biggest challenges will be to try to step out of her dad's shadow.

ANOUSHKA SHANKAR, MUSICIAN: I know people do think that I must constantly be trying to live up to something or be as good as him, but I'm not. Like I'm playing because I'm having a ball. I'm playing because I love to play.

BINDRA: Anoushka's sights are now set solely on music. She's even put her university studies on hold so she can complete her dad's unfulfilled dream: introducing the sitar to younger westerners.

A. SHANKAR: The instrument is very difficult but, at the same time, very, very pleasurable to play, especially when you get to that point where you can do it well. It's just amazing.

BINDRA: For all her talent, Anoushka has far to go. As she herself puts it, what she's learning every day from her father is music is endless.

Satinder Bindra, CNN, New Delhi.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com