Ravi Shankar centre refutes Rishabh Rikhiram’s ‘Last Disciple’ claim, cites no formal initiation The controversy over sitarist Rishabh Rikhiram Sharma’s claim that he was the last disciple of the late maestro Ravi Shankar has taken a clearer turn, with the Ravi Shankar Centre issuing a detailed rebuttal contesting that assertion. In an official statement on February 27, the Centre said while Rishabh’s musical talent is recognised, there was no formal initiation (Ganda-Bandhan) or traditional ceremony that would qualify him as a disciple in the classical guru-shishya tradition. It described an incident in January 2012, often cited by Rishabh’s team, as an informal string-tying at the young musician’s father’s request, lacking customary rituals, a priest, prepared ceremonial thread or wider witnessThe Centre also cited a public introduction by Pandit Ravi Shankar at a concert, where the maestro reportedly told the audience, “I have just had this new, wonderful young boy become my student, and just given him a few lessons. ” According to the statement, he did not use the word “disciple” at any point. After March 2012, when the legend left India due to poor health, no sustained or structured teaching continued. Reiterating the view often expressed by Ravi Shankar’s daughter, Grammy-nominated sitarist Anoushka Shankar, the Centre said the word disciple has profound cultural meaning in Indian classical music and is earned through years of deep training and commitment, not a han... #Shankar #Rishabh_Rikhiram #Rikhiram_Sharma #Ravi_Shankar #Disciple’_claim #Shankar_centre #refutes_Rishabh #formal_initiation #centre_refutes #Centre_issuing
'Congress wins with dissent, loses when it crushes it': Mani Shankar Aiyar's latest warning to leadership Veteran leader Mani Shankar Aiyar asserts Congress historically thrives on internal dissent, warning suppression leads to downfall. Citing Indira Gandhi's Emergency and historical figures like Subhas Chandra Bose, Aiyar argues disagreement, not conformity, is the party's strength. He challenges the current leadership to embrace diverse opinions, fearing doom if dissent is stifled. #Veteran_leader #Shankar #Mani_Shankar #Shankar_Aiyar #leader_Mani #Congress_wins #asserts_Congress #Congress_historically #Aiyar_latest #Aiyar_asserts
From 'chaiwala' to 'Rahulian': Mani Shankar Aiyar returns and Congress ducks for cover, again Mani Shankar Aiyar has once again embarrassed the Congress with his remarks, first praising Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and then dismissing the party's leadership, including spokesperson Pawan Khera. The Congress has distanced itself from Aiyar, stating he has no connection with the party. This incident follows a pattern of Aiyar's controversial statements that have previously aided the BJP. #Shankar #Pawan_Khera #Mani_Shankar #Shankar_Aiyar #Pinarayi_Vijayan #Mani #praising_Kerala #spokesperson_Pawan #including_spokesperson #Congress_ducks
'I am not a Rahulian': Congress rift blows up as Mani Shankar Aiyar goes on name-calling spree Mani Shankar Aiyar invoked B.R. Ambedkar after the Congress distanced itself from his praise of Kerala's Pinarayi Vijayan government. Aiyar criticized Rahul Gandhi and Pawan Khera, calling Khera a "puppet" and "parrot." He expressed contempt for Khera and questioned the party's handling of dissent, contrasting it with Nehru's era. #Shankar #Mani_Shankar #Shankar_Aiyar #spree_Mani #Mani #Congress_rift #rift_blows #name-calling_spree #Rahulian #Kerala_Pinarayi
Asian Indoor Championships: Tejaswin Shankar leads after day 1 of heptathlonTejaswin Shankar, the national record holder in decathlon, began his day on a promising note, collecting 844 points with a time of 7.11 seconds, a personal best, in the 60m dash. Tejaswin Shankar, the national record holder in decathlon, began his day on a promising note, collecting 844 points with a time of 7.11 seconds, a personal best, in the 60m dash. #Tejaswin_Shankar #Indoor_Championships #Asian_Indoor #promising_note #national_record #record_holder #Shankar_leads #heptathlonTejaswin_Shankar #Shankar #Tejaswin
