World Music and Grammy winning music artist Violinist L Shankar performed in Mumbai with his 10 string stereophonic Double Violin on Sunday 16^th June 2024 at the Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA as part of the Aditya Birla - Masters of Music. In attendance was Vikku Vinayakram, V. Selvaganesh alongside Ustad Fazal Qureshi and Swaminathan Selvaganesh, as they come together on stage for an exhilarating performance of carnatic music to fusion, to material from Shakti.

L Shankar is widely regarded as a musical genius and a pioneer in world music. He has enthralled audiences across the world. He has performed solo and with the biggest names in musical genres as diverse as Indian Classical, Jazz, Rock, Ethnic, etc to create a most exciting stream of World Music. He also has collaborated with famous international artists like George Harrison, Michael Jackson, Dave Stewart, John Lydon, Frank Zappa, Madonna, Bruce Springton, Sting and others. He also co- founded the path - breaking fusion group "Shakti" and co - wrote all their compositions with guitarist John McLaughlin. 

L Shankar achieved extraordinary success as Violinist, Composer and a record producer with a sale of more than 50 million albums around the world. His 10 string double Violin is a special instrument designed and invented by the maestro himself and built by Ken Parker. 

Shankar has just released his latest world music album ‘Full Moon’ which is No.3 on the World Music Charts Europe as of January 2025.

In an email interview with Verus Ferreira, the legendary musician talks about his concert, his unique double necked violin, shocking details of his fusion group Shakti and why he has now made the shift to India.

What songs did you play at your concert at the Jamshed Bhabha?

So, I did my own complex pallavi and songs. A major part of the show covered Shakti songs from the first three Shakti albums.

Many musicians of your caliber relocate to the West from India. Why did you decide to relocate to Goa?

Goa is a beautiful place and is one of my headquarters in India, others being Malaysia, Paris, Rome, and Los Angeles. Most of the time, I'm travelling around the world for shows and recordings.

How do you spend your time in Goa?

Besides my usual many hours of practice and recording, I've been conducting advance master classes for both local and foreign professional musicians. These include vocal, violin, multi-instrumental, composing, self-discipline, motivational courses so that they can flourish in their respective fields.

Although you are one of the band’s founders, you eventually departed Shakti. How do you feel about the lineup as it is right now?

I did not depart from the group, it was John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain spreading rumours that I could not be reached and that I didn't want to be part of the group, which is not true. I was hurt that I was not even informed or invited for the 50th Shakti reunion since I was one of the original founding members and co-wrote all the music from the very start of the group for the first three albums which was pivotal in establishing the Shakti brand and sound worldwide that was instrumental in popularising a whole new genre which came to be known as world music.

Despite friction between Shakti, you dedicated the ‘Who’s to Know’ (1980) to John McLaughlin. What was the impetus behind doing so?

Yes I dedicated the record to John, at the time. I still like him as a friend, but the unhappiness of how things turned out with Shakti was due to the lack of professionalism, commitment and the passion that was lost compared to the initial days of Shakti from John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain.

You made a 10-string, stereophonic, double-necked electric violin which became known as LSD (L. Shankar's Double violin). Could you briefly describe the violin and how you created such an instrument back in 1980?

Necessity is the mother of invention. When I was in the studio in London recording my 1st solo album for Zappa Records produced by Frank Zappa, I over-dubbed my vocals, violin, viola, cello, bass. I used to have different violins for my different genres of music, like classical, for Shakti and other Rock projects and collaborations. It was difficult to carry many instruments. I wanted to create one instrument for all genres so I get to play on the same instrument. Hence I designed the LSD (L. Shankar's Double violin). I worked on it for two years on the prototype to get the angle and the distance between the two necks right. It has the whole range of an orchestra violin, viola, cello, double bass, and is able to make many other instruments sounds such as flute, guitar and synthesizer. I can play on one neck and the other neck creates a sympathetic sound. It's been such an amazing instrument for decades. I have the 4th edition of it now. People have tried to replicate it.

Have you ever thought that a violin of this kind can be sold commercially and have you patented it?

I patented it initially, but the process was expensive to be done worldwide. The first time it was used was on my solo album for ECM Records ‘Who's to Know’ (1980) and on Phil Collins' ‘Face Value’ (1981) album. Since then, I've been using it on all my albums and collaboration albums and on many soundtracks including Martin Scorsese's “The Last Temptation of Christ”, Mel Gibson's “The Passion of the Christ”, and many more. The present violin I'm using is the 4th edition of my double violin.

How did the collaboration with Phil Collins happen?

I used to live in England in the early 80s and Phil and I used to collaborate a lot then. I used to go to his place to work on his album, and he worked on my song, getting ideas together. It was always exciting to work with Phil. He's such a spontaneous musician. We continued working as long as I was living in England.

Do you think there is poor patronage for classical music in India?

India has one of the most incredible cultures to promote that to the world stage is such a wonderful thing. The music we played with this super group is of the highest level for the global stage. There are so many talented musicians from India and they should be given complete support here by the government and citizens of India while they are making it, so that they are not alone.

You are a musician, composer, violinist, singer. Out of these, which do you consider your greatest strengths?

All are required to be a complete musician and they are all my equal strengths.

A recent interview mentioned that you weren’t happy with how things were in Shakti, despite all that, you were part of the One Truth band. What motivated you to continue playing with a similar lineup there?

The One Truth Band was not the same as Shakti. It was a different genre of music. It had talented musicians such as Tony Smith on drums, Fernando Saunders on bass, Stu Goldberg on keyboards and Alyrio Lima on percussion who have all worked with me on my solo projects.

Rapid Fire:

Favorite Food: Indian and Italian

Favorite International Destination: The stage is my favourite location any part of the world

Favorite Book: Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

Favorite Film: Godfather 1

Favorite Singer: My father and mother

Favorite Pastime: Watching birds

Favorite Performance Venue: Madison Square Garden

Favorite Indian Destination: Dharamsala

Favorite Music: All good music

Are you a Pet lover: Yes certainly, I've lived with birds, rabbits, dogs, cats and cows. They are great companions.

Photos: Courtesy of the Artist

Interviewed by Verus Ferreira