Anoushka Shankar is an internationally known sitar player and composer, residing in the United Kingdom, United States and India. Anoushka Shankar is the daughter of Sitarist Ravi Shankar and also the half-sister of Grammy Award winner Norah Jones, through her father. Anoushka was born in London and her father began training her in the sitar when she was only 8 years old. She came in front of the public for her first performance at the age of 13; since then she is known to be a world famous sitar artist.

Early Life of Anoushka Shankar
Anoushka Shankar was born on 9 June 1981 to the popular Sitarist Pt. Ravi Shankar and Sukanya Shankar, in London and divided her childhood between Delhi and London. From 7 years of age she lived in Encinitas California, USA, after her mother reunited with Ravi Shankar. As a teenager, she resided in California and studied in San Dieguito Academy. She graduated in the year 1999 with Honors and decided to pursue a career in music instead of going to college.

In 1998, Anoushka played for guests including British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook at a gala dinner. She was the awarded with a House of Commons Shield. In February 2000, Anoushka Shankar became the first woman to perform at The Ramakrishna Centre in Kolkata. The Indian Television Academy, Asmi, and India Times selected her as one of four Women of the Year in India in 2003. She was chosen as one of twenty Asian Heroes in 2004 by the Asia edition of Time magazine.

Career of Anoushka Shankar
Anoushka Shankar released her debut album titled, Anoushka, in the year 1998, followed by, Anourag in 2000. Her album Rise was nominated for a Grammy award in the section of Best Contemporary World Music category. However, this was Anoushka`s second Grammy nomination. Here too, Anoushka was the first Indian woman to perform at the Grammy Awards when she presented a function during the pre-telecast ceremony of the 48th awards. She played sitar at the memorial to George Harrison on the first anniversary of his death that was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on November 29, 2002. Anoushka along with Karsh Kale recently released her most recent album, Breathing Under Water, which is a brilliant blend of classical sitar and electronic beats and melodies. Her half-sister, Norah Jones and Sting Notable were her guest vocals, while her father performed in a sitar duet along with his daughter. The album was released on August 28, 2007.

In January 2009, Anoushka Shankar performed along with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra for the concerts of her father`s 3rd Concerto for Sitar and Orchestra. In 2010, she premiered Ravi Shankar`s 1st Symphony of Sitar and Orchestra with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Other Activities of Anoushka Shankar
Anoushka is a great supporter of animal rights and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). She and her father stood firmly and appeared in a thirty-second public-service announcement against animal suffering, attended by thousands of people. She is the representative for the United Nations World Food Programme in India.

Awards of Anoushka Shankar
Anoushka Shankar has received several honours and awards during her musical career. She was crowned as one of 20 Asian Heroes by the Asia edition of Time in 2004. She was honored as the Woman of the Year on International Women`s Day 2003. Anoushka also received the British House of Commons Shield in 1998.

Personal Life of Anoushka Shankar
Anoushka Shankar is married to Joe Wright, a British director. On February 22, 2011, the couple had their first child, Zubin Shankar Wright.

Discography of Anoushka Shankar