I vividly remember my first interview with Pandit Ravi Shankar, for this newspaper back in 1997. I was a bundle of nerves before entering the Napean Sea Road guesthouse where he stayed, but 10 minutes later, he put me completely at ease with his warmth and wit.

Raviji was a unique personality, no doubt. He would do anything to convince you about the beauty and power of Indian classical music. The world knows him as a sitar genius and as India’s biggest musical ambassador, a role he played with total dedication and passion. He defined the 20th century global musician — intense, innovative, and immaculate.