Sitar maestro Ravi Shankar dead at 92

Sitar genius Ravi Shankar, who mesmerized music lovers for years, died in California at age 92, NPR News reported quoting the Indian prime minister. The virtuoso, who had popularized the ancient Indian musical instrument around the world and had worked with The Beatles and Yehudi Menuhin, had been unwell. NPR quoted a tweet from Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's official Twitter account as saying: "Prime Minister condoles the passing away of Pandit Ravishankar -- A national treasure and global ambassador of India's cultural heritage." Indian NDTV channel said Ravi Shankar died in a San Diego hospital Tuesday afternoon and that the Indian Embassy in the United States confirmed his death with Ambassador Nirupama Rao tweeting: "Pandit Ravi Shankar. Mourn passing of a musical genius and gentle soul. Attended his last concert Nov in Calif. He played with such passion." NBC News quoted Ravi Shankar's website, which reported his death, as saying: "Shankar had suffered from upper-respiratory and heart issues over the past year and underwent heart-valve replacement surgery last Thursday. Though the surgery was successful, recovery proved too difficult for the 92-year-old musician." A family statement said: "We know that you all feel our loss with us, and we thank you for all of your prayers and good wishes through this difficult time. Although it is a time for sorrow and sadness, it is also a time for all of us to give thanks and to be grateful that we were able to have him as a part of our lives. His spirit and his legacy will live on forever in our hearts and in his music." NBC said Shankar's last performance was Nov. 4 in Long Beach, Calif., and had been described as a celebration of his 10th decade of making music. Shankar, winner of the Bharat Ratna (Jewel of India), India's highest civilian award, was the most well-known contemporary Indian musician, the Times of India newspaper said. The report said the maestro had been under treatment for last one week and had been hospitalized after complaining of breathing difficulties. He had served as India's unofficial ambassador of music ever since his first tour of the United States and Europe in the 1950, the report said. He had also won three Grammy Awards. The Hindu newspaper said Shankar was active as a professional musician till the end. NDTV said he would be competing posthumously for another Grammy in 2103. He is survived by his wife and daughters Anoushka and Norah Jones, also a musician and three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.