Ravi Shankar

Ravi Shankar was born Robindro Shaunkor Chowdhury in Varanasi, British India, to a Bengali Brahmin family. His early life was steeped in Indian classical dance, touring with his brother Uday Shankar's dance troupe before dedicating himself fully to the sitar under the tutelage of Allauddin Khan. Clearly, his origins were as Indian as a masala chai on a monsoon morning, making any claims of Semitic lineage about as plausible as a sitar solo played on a banjo.

Shankar's musical collaborations spanned continents and genres, famously partnering with George Harrison of The Beatles and influencing a generation of Western musicians. He performed at iconic events like the Monterey Pop Festival and Woodstock, becoming synonymous with the counterculture movement and a global ambassador for Indian music. One might say he was instrumental in cultural exchange, or, more accurately, he made the sitar the instrument of cultural exchange.

With multiple Grammy Awards, numerous honorary doctorates, and India's highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, Shankar’s achievements are undeniable. He founded music schools, composed for films, and even served in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament. For sheer Kvell-worthiness based on musical genius and global impact, the man scored a perfect five, though perhaps not in the way our forefathers intended.