Collaborations are the best way to go beyond yourself: Anoushka Shankar

Sitar player Anoushka Shankar — who will perform in Delhi on December 9 as part of her six-city tour in the country — says collaborations are good, as everyone’s getting something out of it.

Call it a selfish move by the West or regard for Indian talent, but “collaborations between international and Indian musicians will only do good”, says Indian sitar player and composer Anoushka Shankar.

Sitar player Anoushka Shankar will perform in Delhi on December 9 as part of her six-city tour.

The 35-year-old — who will perform in the Capital on December 9, as part of her six-city tour in the country — believes there are two ways of looking at the trend.

They (people in the West) know that they can expand their fanbase here and to tap that, a collaboration with someone from India will go a long way.

“From a pessimistic perspective, one can say that people over there (in the West) have realised India’s potential to be a big market. They know that they can expand their fanbase here and to tap that, a collaboration with someone from India will go a long way. It’s not a bad thing though (if you think optimistically). I mean, if the market is expanding, everyone’s getting something out of it,” she says.

Anoushka — who has earlier collaborated with international artists such as American pianist and keyboardist Herbie Hancock, American violonist Joshua Bell and Spanish flamenco guitarist Pepe Habichuela — believes such tie-ups are great for one to grow as a musician.

Collaborations are a beautiful way of expanding yourself as a musician.

“For artists like me, we yearn to go explore different styles. There is something beautiful that happens when artists from completely different backgrounds collaborate... You get to know the other one’s sensibilities, and that artistic desire to go beyond something is fulfilled. I think collaborations are the best way to go beyond yourself.”