Anoushka Shankar is a top sitar player from India. She is the daughter of famous sitar master Ravi Shankar. On January 23, 2025, news came about her two Grammy nods for 2025. This update made fans happy. She keeps making music that mixes old Indian styles with new sounds. Her story shows hard work and talent.
Early Life
Anoushka Shankar came to this world on June 9, 1981. The place was London, England. Her father was Ravi Shankar. He was a big name in sitar music. Her mother is Sukanya Rajan. She comes from Tamil roots. Anoushka has a half-sister named Norah Jones. Norah is a singer from America. The family moved a lot. They lived in London and Delhi, India. This mix helped her love music early.
As a child, Anoushka saw her father teach students. Her mother taught her folk dances. She learned Carnatic vocal style too. It is from South India. At age eight, she started sitar lessons. Her teacher was Gaurav Mazumdar. He was a student of her father. By age ten, she played tanpura with her father on stage. Tanpura is a string instrument. It gives drone sound in Indian music.
Life was full of music. The family split time between cities. Later, as a teen, she lived in California. She went to San Dieguito High School. In 1999, she finished with honors. She was even homecoming queen. But she skipped college. Music was her choice. This early training made her strong. She learned from the best. Her father's lessons shaped her skills.
Anoushka Shankar Age, Height, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Husband, Family
Career
Anoushka's first big show was on February 27, 1995. She was just 13. The place was Siri Fort in New Delhi. It was for her father's 75th birthday. Zakir Hussain played tabla with her. Tabla is a drum pair. Fans loved her play. That year, she helped record a box set. It was called *In Celebration*. Angel Records made it.
At 14, she toured the world with her father. At 15, she worked on *Chants of India*. George Harrison produced it. She noted music and led singers. Record bosses came home. They signed her at 16. Her first deal was with Angel/EMI. In 1998, her album *Anoushka* came out. It was pure classical sitar. Next year, *Live at Carnegie Hall* got a Grammy nod. She was the youngest ever in World Music.
In 2000, *Anourag* released. She toured alone now. No more just with father. She played 50 to 60 shows a year. In 2005, *Rise* came. She made it herself. No classical only. It mixed styles. Got another Grammy nod. She played at Grammy Awards first time as Indian. [2] Her path grew fast. She broke free from shadow.
Popularity
Anoushka signed with Deutsche Grammophon in 2011. Many albums followed. *Traveller* in 2011 mixed flamenco and Indian ragas. Javier Limón helped. She toured over 100 shows. Got third Grammy nod. [2] In 2013, *Traces of You* came after father's death. Norah Jones sang on it. Fourth Grammy nod.
*Home* in 2015 was pure ragas. She built a home studio for it. *Land of Gold* in 2016 had M.I.A. and Vanessa Redgrave. Videos had film touch from Joe Wright. Remixes came too. In 2019, *Reflections* looked back at 20 years. *Love Letters* in 2020 was new style. Short songs with guests like Ibeyi.
Recent works shine. *Chapter I: Forever, For Now* in 2023. Then *Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn* in 2024. *Chapter III: We Return to Light* in 2025. She got 14 Grammy nods total. Latest in 2025 for *Daybreak* and album. [2][5] She works with big names. Like Sting, Herbie Hancock, Gorillaz. Her sitar fits rock, jazz, electronic.
Notable Work
Anoushka scores films too. In 2012, she made a lullaby for *Anna Karenina*. Joe Wright directed. In 2017, she scored old film *Shiraz*. Played live at festivals. End song for *Victoria & Abdul* with Judi Dench. In 2020, score for *A Suitable Boy* series. Mira Nair's team. Got RTS nod. She acts a bit. In 2004, *Dance Like a Man*. Got National Film Award nod. She writes too. Book *Bapi: The Love of My Life* about father in 2002. Columns in *Hindustan Times*. Narrated doc on trafficking in 2017. Her skills go beyond sitar. She tells stories in many ways.
Classical side stays strong. She plays father's concertos with orchestras. Like London Symphony. Did his last show with him in 2012. Duets with Joshua Bell, Rostropovich.
Awards
Grammys are many. First in 2003. Latest 14th in 2025. In 2024, Oxford gave Honorary Doctor of Music. Woman of the Year in India 2003. Time's Asian Heroes 2004. Songlines Best Artist 2012. Eastern Eye Awards 2017, 2018. Asteroid named 292872 Anoushankar in 2017. Hon RAM in 2021. Visiting Professor at Oxford 2023. These show her mark. Not just family name. Her own fire.
Personal Life
Anoushka married Joe Wright in 2010. He is a British director. Two sons born 2011 and 2015. They split in 2017. Divorce final in 2019. She lives in London with boys. Keeps private now. Family ties strong. Half-brother Shubho died young. She honors father always.
Activism Work
She fights for good causes. In 2013, joined One Billion Rising after Delhi rape case. Shared her abuse story as child. Works with UNHCR for refugees. Help Refugees tours. PETA for animals. UN Food for hunger in India. In 2020, F-List head for women in music. Artists4Ceasefire in 2023. Benefit shows like Concert for George 2002. A Billion Hands after Mumbai attacks. Her voice helps many. Music meets heart.
Anoushka Shankar stands tall today. At 44, she blends worlds. Sitar links East and West. Her journey from London girl to global star inspires. Fans wait for more. Her music lives on.
