Pandit Ravi Shankar remembered in California home city

Los Angeles: Indian sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar was remembered fondly by his friends and family who gathered today to `celebrate the life` of the music legend, whose greatest legacy inarguably lies in bridging the East-West cultural chasm.

At a memorial service near his southern California home in Encinitas, his wife Sukanya and daughters Anushka and Norah Jones were joined by hundres of people as well as other music greats like Zubin Mehta. "My father loved spending time here so much and it feels so right for us to celebrate his journey in this beautiful place," Anoushka said at the Self Realization Fellowship. Ravishankar, a multi-cultural icon, passed away last week at 92 and was named as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, a day after his death. "... Thanks to all of you for being here to celebrate the life" of Ravi Shankar, said Anushka, 31. Anushka`s step sister, Norah, 33, an acclaimed singer-songwriter herself joined the family, though she did not address the gathering at the memorial. "Raviji was one of the great citizens of the world," said Olivia Harrison, the widow of former Beatle George Harrison who shared a deep bond with the Indian legend. "I cannot think of a more illustrious or elegant person," she said remembering Ravi Shankar. An emotional Zubin Mehta spoke of how he felt like a "little crumb" in the presence of the sitar maestro. "Because every night, whichever stage he was performing on, he was composing simultaneously (as he played)," he said, recalling his association of 50 years. PTI