Ten years ago, Ravi Shankar — the most famous spokesman for Indian music — began giving sitar lessons to 9-year-old daughter Anoushka. Dad’s teachings took: British-born, California-raised Anoushka Shankar is an accomplished classical sitarist; her second album, “Anourag,” was released this week. She performs at 7 p.m. Monday at Ravinia. $20. 847-266-5100.
Q: Were there things you wanted to do with “Anourag” that you didn’t do or didn’t get to do on your first album?
A: Well, one thing that’s really special is that my father played on one track with me, and he’s never done that with anyone else.
Q: Is the sitar the most physically demanding instrument on Earth? It sure looks like it.
A: Right from the beginning, it’s so uncomfortable, because you have to sit in a funny cross-legged position to support the instrument on your foot. Your fingers get cut on the strings and you pull on the strings and your shoulders hurt. It gets better, but it doesn’t really ever go away.
Q: So, can you crack walnuts with your hands?
A: (Laughs) Actually, I have really weak hands! It’s terrible. (The sitar) does demand a lot of strength, but I’m not sure it’s the kind of strength that builds muscle really. It’s more the precision and endurance.
Q: You’re a 19-year-old musician at a time where most performers your age are doing something radically different from what you’re doing. Are you bothered by the sexualization of the Britneys and Christinas?
A: I have nothing against it; they’re individuals and it’s their choice and it definitely sells. … I wouldn’t do it because, well, because of India, really. They’d chop my head off. (laughs) And I mean, it is classical music. There is a certain respect for this.
Q: Incidentally, our cat is really into your music.
A: Really? Our cats are terrible. They’ll run away every time we start playing. It’s awful. They just don’t get it. (laughs)
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