Beatles Muse Ravi Shankar, Father of Norah Jones, Dies

Ravi Shankar, the sitar player and composer described as the “godfather of world music” by Beatles guitarist George Harrison, has died. He was 92.

Shankar died following surgery in California to replace a heart valve, according to a statement from his family. Shankar, who first performed internationally as a child, devoted his adult life to Indian classical music. His audience widened after Harrison, who introduced the sitar into rock music by playing the instrument on the Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown),” sought out Shankar’s tutelage.