World-famous sitar player Anoushka is a renowned musician, composer and activist.

Born in London, her childhood was divided between the UK, India and America. The daughter of Sukanya Shankar and Indian sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, she began training on the sitar aged nine and gave her first public performance at 13.

By the age of 14 she was accompanying her father at performances around the world. She released her first album Anoushka in 1998, followed by Anourag in 2000.

Anoushka pushes boundaries with her music, just as she has by blazing a trail for women to play the sitar professionally, normally a male preserve in India. Increasing numbers of women in India are learning the instrument as a result of her influence.

She has enjoyed a successful touring career since she was 18, becoming known for her virtuosic yet emotional playing style, unusual instrumentation and precise rhythmic interplay.

She is the youngest and first female recipient of a UK House of Commons Shield and the first Indian musician to perform live or to be a presenter at the Grammy Awards with seven nominations under her belt.

Away from music, she is an activist working with multiple causes and charitable organisations, in particular supporting women and refugees.

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