Genesis of a Genius: Excerpts from seven classic albums

RAVI SHANKAR was perhaps the most well-known, influential, important Indian composer and musician of all time, having effectively introduced Indian music to the Western World and established the sitar as a serious musical instrument on the world stage.

By the time he commenced his recording career in the mid-50s he was already highly-experienced, being in his mid-30s and having been broadcasting regularly and composing both classical and film music since the late 40s.

Once his recording career was under way he became quite prolific, sometimes cutting a couple of LPs a year.

This compilation features excerpts from his first seven, critically-acclaimed albums, Three Ragas (1956), India's Master Musician (1958), Ragas And Tälas (1959), The Sounds Of India (1960), Music Of India (1962), Improvisations (1962) and India's Most Distinguished Musician In Concert (1962).

These recordings present the mercurial Shankar at the very peak of his career.