Indian maestro Ravi Shankar on European farewell tour

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2008

PARIS (AFP) — Indian sitar maestro Ravi Shankar geared up for his last European performance in France Tuesday, despite saying he hoped it would not be his swansong.

The 88-year-old is giving a masterclass at the Salle Pleyel in Paris Tuesday evening, a day after he performed a farewell concert there.

As he entered on stage to a standing ovation Monday night, he said: "My dear friends in Paris. It is supposed to be my last concert here. I hope this is not the case!"

Both performances were delayed by a few months because of Shankar's poor health.

The sitarist, who is credited with promoting Indian music in the West, will head to the United States in October for four more concerts.

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