It was a big blessing to perform Pandit Ravi Shankar’s pieces: Padma Shankar

For city-based musician Padma Shankar, the Spring 2026 US debut tour of the Ravi Shankar Ensemble was more than just an international performance circuit. She calls it “the biggest honour and blessing” of her artistic journey so far.

The ensemble, conceived by Sukanya Shankar and Anoushka Shankar, brought together six musicians across Hindustani and Carnatic traditions for performances across major American cities. For Padma, who performed both as a violinist and vocalist for the first time internationally, the tour also became an emotional tribute to the legacy of Ravi Shankar. “Pandit Ravi Shankar ji was one of the foremost musicians who took Indian classical music to a global stage. So, when Sukanya ji called and told me I had been selected for the tour, it felt like heaven showering blessings on me,” she says.

What surprised her, however, was the audience response. Contrary to expectations, she says nearly 90 per cent of the audience comprised Americans familiar with Ravi Shankar’s music. “They were clapping, cheering, crying, whistling and emoting with the music,” she recalls. “For those 90 minutes, it felt like the audience, the artistes and the music had all become one soul.”

The ensemble underwent nearly three weeks of intensive rehearsals in Delhi before the tour began, carefully structuring each 90-minute set. “We all had only one intention — the piece had to shine like a diamond,” she says.

Performing both vocals and violin came with its own challenges, particularly maintaining vocal health through varying climates, she says. “I was terrified of losing my voice,” she laughs and adds, “I only ate warm food, gargled daily and barely stepped out of the hotel in freezing temperatures.”

One audience interaction remains unforgettable. An 85-year-old listener approached her after a concert and told her he could “feel the joy” in her singing despite not understanding Hindi. “That was such a big compliment. I realised music had communicated emotion beyond language,” she signs off.
Contributed by: Geethika Sai