A memorial service is being held today (December 20th) for the hugely influential musician Ravi Shankar, who died earlier this month aged 92.
Fans will be able to pay their respects to Shankar – famous for introducing the world of sitar music to The Beatles – at the Self-Realization Fellowship on the corner of Highway 101 & K Street in Encinitas, San Diego from 10.30am local time.
“For those who have some personal relationship with Ravi Shankar and his music, this will be an opportunity to say farewell,” an associate of the musician’s friends and family has told U-T San Diego. “He was a man of the public, and the public should be able to pay their respects.”
It was revealed shortly after his death that Shankar will be recognised with a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Grammy, with Academy President and CEO Neil Portnow remarking at the time:
“Just last week, I had the honour to inform him that he would receive a 2013 Lifetime Achievement this February. He was deeply touched and so pleased, that he extended a gracious and personal invitation to visit with him at his home. We have lost an innovative and exceptional talent and a true ambassador of international music.”