Ravi Shankar: 1920-2012

Ravi Shankar performs with his daughter Anoushka Shankar in Bangalore, India, on Jan. 15, 2004. Shankar, the sitar virtuoso who became a hippie musical icon of the 1960s after hobnobbing with the Beatles and who introduced traditional Indian ragas to Western audiences over an eight-decade career, died on Dec. 11, 2012. He was 92.

Indian classical musician Ravi Shankar and his daughter Anoushka Shankar prepare to perform at a function to pay tribute to Beatle George Harrison on the anniversary of his birthday in New Delhi on Feb. 25, 2004. Harrison and the other members of the Beatles were influenced by the sitar playing of Shankar in the 1960s.

Indian sitar maestro Ravi Shankar smiles at his daughter Anoushka, who is being licked by a goat, on Feb. 25, 2002, during an event to announce the Shankars' participation in a commercial by People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in New Delhi.

Legendary sitar maestro Ravi Shankar speaks during a press conference in Calcutta, India, on Dec. 19, 2002.

The Dalai Lama, center, spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, is joined by Indian sitarist Ravi Shankar, right, and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson prior to being honored with a Juliet Hollister Award in 2005 in New York. The award is given by the Interfaith Center of New York and the Temple of Understanding to religious or secular figures who promote greater understanding of spiritual values.

Indian musician Ravi Shankar salutes the public during the "Nuits de Fourviere" festival on June 29, 2005, at the Fourviere amphitheater in Lyon, France.

Aug. 3, 1967 file photo shows George Harrison, of the Beatles, left, sitting cross-legged with his musical mentor, Ravi Shankar, of India, in Los Angeles, as Harrison explains to newsmen that Shankar is teaching him to play the sitar — AP

George Harrison of the Beatles, left, sits cross-legged with his musical mentor, Ravi Shankar of India, in Los Angeles on Aug. 3, 1967, as Harrison explains to newsmen that Shankar is teaching him to play the sitar.

Indian sitar player Ravi Shankar, left, and his daughter Anoushka Shankar perform on July 7, 2005, at the opening of Beiteddine International Festival 2005 in Beiteddine, Lebanon.

Indian sitar player Ravi Shankar, third from left, and his daughter Anoushka Shankar, second right, perform with supporting musicians on July 7, 2005, at the opening of Beiteddine International Festival 2005 in Beiteddine, Lebanon.

Indian musician Ravi Shankar,left, and his wife, Sukanya, arrive at the gala premiere of "The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil" at the Mirage Hotel & Casino on June 30, 2006, in Las Vegas.

Indian musician Ravi Shankar, left, performs with his daughter Anoushka on June 4, 2008, during a concert at London's Barbican Centre.

Indian musician Ravi Shankar performs on June 4, 2008, during a concert at London's Barbican Centre.

Indian sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, right, gestures while his daughter Anoushka Shankar, background, looks on during a performance at the Dover Lane Music Conference in Kolkata, India, on Feb. 7, 2009. Shankar is regarded as India's most esteemed musical ambassador.

Indian sitar maestro Ravi Shankar performs with his daughter Anoushka Shankar (not pictured) at the Dover Lane Music Conference in Kolkata, India, on Feb. 7, 2009.

Ravi Shankar walks hand in hand with his daughter Anoushka after receiving the University of Melbourne's highest honor, the degree of Doctor of Laws, at a special ceremony in Melbourne, Australia, on March 19, 2010. Other recipients include the Dalai Lama, Aung San Suu Kyi, Mary Robinson and Germaine Greer.

Indian musician Ravi Shankar is seen in this June 1, 1985, file photo.