Catherine Nixey's interview with Ravi Shankar on August 16, 2011 on the Times, London.

"Brilliant though his career has been, there is a slight sense that circumstances have in some ways circumscribed his own reputation: that Shankar the sitar player is too often known as Norah Jones' father or The Beatles' Indian accessory. I ask if he fears that in popularising his music, he cheapened it?

"That's what people in India, who loved my music for what it was [thought]. Many were hurt that I was becoming pop music; many people thought I became the fifth Beatle. But I kept my music as it was."

Despite his influence on The Beatles, he seems underwhelmed by them. "I knew very little about them,' he says, "but some of Paul McCartney's singing, or John's, was fantastic."

Shankar is much more enthusiastic about Otis Redding ("beautiful') and Janis Joplin ("though she was crazy"). He also stresses his love for the "fantastic' young people who liked his music then. Still, he is much keener to speak about his classical work, volunteering mentions of connections and collaborations with Mehta and Menuhin, as well as Andr Previn, Isaac Stern and "many very world famous musicians."

Pic: Ravi Shankar with George Harrison