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The world’s greatest ever sitar player Ravi Shankar has died a hospital in the USA, aged 92. The legendary maestro was hospitalized last week to have an operation, but never fully recovered. His wife Sukanya and daughter Anoushka, also an accomplished sitarist, were his side when he passed . They issued a statement to say: “Unfortunately, despite the best efforts the surgeons and doctors taking care him, his body was not able to withstand the strain the surgery." They added: “Although it is a time sorrow and sadness, it is also a time all us to give thanks and to be grateful that we were able to have him a part our lives. He will live forever our hearts and his music.”

Ravi Shankar was born Robindro Shaunkor Chowdhury 7 April 1920 in Varanasi the banks the River Ganges. He started learning the sitar when he was 26. Sixteen years later he was touring Europe and the USA helping to increase the popularity Indian classical music. His major break came when he taught George Harrison of The Beatles to play the sitar. He went to have a huge influence Western popular music and became an international superstar. He said an interview in 2011: “Everywhere I went, I was recognised. I didn't like that all.” Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described him a "national treasure and global ambassador India's cultural heritage".