MUMBAI: Anoushka Shankar has firmly established herself as one of the most dynamic composers and sitar virtuosos on the global stage. Beyond her exceptional artistry, she is empowering the next generation of musicians by partnering with leading female artists, showcasing how women-led music is reshaping the industry. Here’s an exploration of her most impactful collaborations with female musicians:
Norah Jones
In 2013, Anoushka collaborated with her half-sister Norah Jones for the album Traces of You. Norah lent her soulful vocals to all the album’s vocal tracks, creating a deeply emotive experience. Whilst the title song “Traces of You” is about spiritual connection, “The Sun Won’t Set” and “Unsaid” are deeply intimate songs about the passing of their father, Ravi Shankar. The album earned a Grammy nomination in 2014 for Best World Music Album, a testament to its artistic brilliance. Previously, Norah also sang for Anoushka and Karsh Kale’s album “Breathing Under Water” on the song “Easy” and later sang again on Anoushka’s Grammy-nominated album “Love Letters, PS” on the joyous celebration of romantic love “Opening, Flowering, Drinking."
Ibeyi
Anoushka joined forces with the French-Cuban duo Ibeyi for the track Lovable from her album Love Letters. While Anoushka's sitar work elevated the song’s melodic depth and Ibeyi brought their signature ethereal vocals, this song is also notable as one of the only songs Anoushka chose to also sing on herself, bringing a rare vulnerability to music. Released in 2020, the collaboration was widely lauded for its innovative sound.
Patti Smith
The legendary Patti Smith teamed up with Anoushka Shankar for Knowledge of the Self, a standout track from Peradam, the third installment of the album trilogy Perfect Vision. Anoushka’s sitar mastery added a transcendent quality, perfectly complementing Smith’s profound lyrical storytelling.
Alev Lenz
Anoushka collaborated with Turkish-German artist Alev Lenz on several pieces, first bringing Alev on as vocalist for the title song in her Grammy-nominated album Land of Gold, and then inviting Alev back as producer of her album "Love Letters PS.” The album dealt with themes such as heartbreak and betrayal, and Alev helped to bring a new stripped-back, minimal quality to Anoushka’s work. She also leant her vocals to songs including Wallet, Sister Susannah and the iconic Bright Eyes. These works highlight Anoushka’s versatility and her ability to seamlessly merge the sitar's traditional essence with contemporary soundscapes.
Shilpa Rao
In the heartfelt track Those Words from the Grammy-nominated Love Letters, Anoushka partnered with Indian playback singer Shilpa Rao, alongside co-writer and incredible cellist Ayanna Witter-Johnson. While Shilpa’s hauntingly beautiful vocals enriched the composition, Anoushka not only provided the sitar but also directed the music video remotely during lockdown, showcasing her multifaceted creativity.
Arooj Aftab
Anoushka Shankar collaborated with Grammy-decorated artist and producer Arooj Aftab on Arooj’s song “Usher Na” and then invited Arooj onboard as producer for 'Chapter I: Forever, For Now'. Both well-known artists collectively worked on the music, while Anoushka Shankar showcased her sitar prowess, elevating the songs' melodic depth.
MIA
Anoushka Shankar joined forces with MIA for Jump In (Cross The Line) from Anoushka’s album Land of Gold. The entire album was written in response to the ongoing humanitarian refugee crisis and the song served to highlight the urgency of the situation. While Anoushka dug into a bluesy, low-end drawl on the sitar, MIA added hypnotic depth with the vocals and production.
Nikita Gill
Anoushka Shankar teamed up with acclaimed poet and author Nikita Gill on two occasions, both delving into urgent themes of womanhood and feminism. On “Sister Susannah” they tell a tale of coercive control through a satirical love letter narrated by Anoushka herself over looped sitar. On "In Her Name” they marked the ten-year anniversary of the horrific gang-rape in New Delhi in 2012, questioning why nothing had changed since then. Again, Anoushka narrated the poem over her own sitar to great effect.
Meanwhile, Anoushka Shankar has received two Grammy nominations —one for her album Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn in the Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album category and another for her collaboration on A Rock Somewhere in the Best Global Performance category. Adding to the excitement, she is gearing up for a packed schedule, including a US tour in March 2025, an India tour in December 2025, and the highly anticipated release of her upcoming album, Chapter III: We Return to Light slated for February-March 2025.
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