Pandit Ravi Shankar at the Woodstock Festival

  
Any avid music lover would have definitely heard of the Woodstock Festival,which arguably to this day is
the most famous pop culture music event.This musical extravaganza attracted acts from all around the world
and was first performed at Max Yasgur's Farm in Bethel, NY on August 15-18, 1969 for a celebration of peace and music.

What began as a paid event drew so many viewers from across the world that the fences were torn
down and it became a free concert open to the public. 500,000 youthful individuals gathered
peacefully at Woodstock 1969 creating the largest gathering of human beings in one place in history.
Woodstock 1969 defined an entire generation and its effects on music and American culture can still
be felt today.

Woodstock '69 featured one of the most prolific musical lineups in history including such icons as
Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Joe Cocker, Santana, and The Who. Fans got a taste of a variety of music
styles which came together in perfect harmony. The crowd at Woodstock in 1969, which reached near a
half a million people sent a message to the world that individuals could come together peacefully to
celebrate peace and music.

But what many do not know is that Pandit Ravi Shankar,the Indian music genius performed at this very
festival.Pandit Ravi Shankar became well known outside of India by performing his native music at Woodstock 1969, the Monterey Pop Fest, and other large venues all over the world.

Pandit Ravi Shankar's performance at Woodstock was crucial to the world music scene and came at a highly impactful period and he went on to introduce and teach sitar to George Harrison .Later material by the Beatles would feature the Sitar and it could be said that Pandit Ravi Shankar is responsible for popularizing Indian music within the timeframe.

Here is the video of Pandit Ravi Shankar along with Ustad Allah Rakha on the tabla at Woodstock.