Ravi Chary – a Sitarist with an amazing blend!
Did you know that the word 'Sitar' is derived from the Persian word 'sehtar', meaning '3-stringed'?
There are different schools based on the characteristic styles of playing the Sitar by the 3 doyens. Ustad Imdad Khansaheb's style, Pt. Ravi Shankar’s method and Ustad Vilayat Khansaheb’s technique, each having its own uniqueness.
Pt. Ravi Chary's exposure to different gharanas, has led him to create a niche of his own. Hugely inspired by his father and very first Guru, Late Pt. Prabhakar Chari, Ravi ji went on to train under Prof. Abdul Karim Khan, Pt. Pushparaj Koshti, Sudhakar Karandikar and Nirmala Pai Kakode.
Later, Ravi ji also learnt from Padmabhushan Ustad Abdul Halim Jaffer Khan in Mumbai. In fact today, Ravi ji is the only living exponent of the ‘Jaffer Khani baaz’.
He has even tutored under Gaan Tapaswini Mogubai Kurdikar and Pt. Suresh Talwalkar. Even today, Ravi ji continues to receive tutelage from Padmashri Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan.
Pt. Ravi Chary’s combined knowledge of different Gharanas and the special influence of the Ittawa Gharana, makes him a unique Sitar player of the present generation. In his playing, one can sense the distinct flavours of all the Gharanas, while bringing to it his own special touch.
Additionally, Ravi ji’s collaborative musical efforts with Indian as well as international artistes, lends an inimitable style to Ravi ji’s approach to Sitar playing.
Besides being a much sought-after performer, Ravi ji is also a composer, innovator, and a collaborator. These additional facets to his personality immensely benefit the students at myGurukul, giving them an overall learning.
