(1971) 3 Richie Unterberger Ravi Shankar's close friendship with George Harrison of the Beatles paved the way for Apple Films, the movie division of the group's company, to make this documentary of the Indian musician. It's not the sort of study that will tell you much about his history or the major events of his life. Rather, it's one that focuses on educating viewers about his music by showing his then-current activities, blending footage of Shankar performing both in concert and more informal circumstances, teaching American and Indian students, and even receiving an honorary degree from the University of California. Those clips are interspersed with scenes of daily life and ceremonies/rituals in India itself, with Shankar himself providing the voiceover narration. That narration doesn't so much describe or complement the on-screen images as offer his thoughts on Indian music and spirituality, along with his mixed feelings about his role in popularizing Indian sounds in the West, and his worries that the traditions of his culture are being eradicated. The tone of the film -- perhaps mostly because the tone of Shankar himself -- is on the pious side, though it's dignified, and the images are well-shot, albeit with the insertion of an anomalous psychedelic collage near the end. Undeniably some viewers, especially those whose interest in Indian music is casual, might find the movie too drawn-out and languid to maintain their attention. Those not familiar with the basics of Shankar's background, too, might feel unsatisfied that the documentary doesn't fill those details in to any significant extent. Those already enamored to some degree of Shankar and his sitar playing, however, will appreciate the insight it gives into both his music and his motives for playing it. As is so often the case with music documentaries, it's at its best when simply showing Shankar in performance, and Beatles fans will be interested in the brief scene in which he and George Harrison play sitar together (actually shot in 1968, three years before the movie's release) on a cliff above the Pacific Ocean; Harrison can also be spotted in a picnic-like musical get-together between Shankar and some American students.

Raga on AllMovie

Raga (1971)

Raga

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genres

Music

sub-genres

category

Documentary

directed by

Howard Worth

countries

USA

released

1971

run time

96 min.

produced by

Mystic Fire, Apple Films

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by Clarke Fountain synopsis

This documentary of the life of virtuoso sitarist Ravi Shankar helped satisfy the extraordinary curiosity this magnetic performer had aroused by successfully introducing classical Indian music to Western audiences. Classical Indian music, with its complex melodic development and unfamiliar rhythms, was (and is) quite a challenge for Westerners to master. This documentary enters into Shankar's daily life, his practice, his religion, and his devotion to his musical and spiritual gurus, and shows much of the spirit behind the music. Shankar is also seen giving music instruction to American and Indian students, which is a painless way for viewers to learn some lessons as well. Among the performances shown is a concert with classical violinist Yehudi Menuhin.

characteristics

- Sitar

- World-music

- India (subcontinent)

- Musician

- Virtuoso

- Devotion [dedication]

- Guru

- Music-scene

- East Indian

- Concert-footage

- Violin

- Music-teacher

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