Seven decades on, L.Shankar still lives, breathes and dreams music (VIDEO)

In an interview with Malay Mail, Indian classical music legend and world music icon L.Shankar expressed that despite spending nearly seven decades in the music industry, he still feels like a 26-year-old. The Grammy-winning artiste firmly believes that music is a crucial element of his life, as he stated: "Because music is my life, it is what I breathe, the day I stop playing music is when I die."

Shankar recounted that his passion for music remains the same since his first show in Sri Lanka when he was just seven years old. He stated that this feeling will persist unless his light goes out. Shankar, now 76, has made a significant impact in the music industry, collaborating with global icons such as Frank Zappa and Bruce Springsteen, performing benefit concerts for Nelson Mandela, and inventing the 10-string Double Violin.

He currently resides in Kuala Lumpur, serving as one of his bases and spending time here between international tours. This Malaysian city has become his second home, a place where he works on various Original Soundtracks (OSTs) and albums across genres like rock, pop, and world music within a portable studio. Shankar also highlighted the importance of the multicultural atmosphere in Kuala Lumpur, where Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures coexist harmoniously.

He is currently collaborating with several Malaysian talents for an upcoming concert, Beyond Words, along with Malaysia's Sultan of Sitar, Samuel J. Dass, at Istana Budaya on Aug 22. Shankar met with students from the Swara Community Arts Centre, founded by Samuel, to produce and rehearse new music for the event, reflecting his commitment to collaboration and community.

Although the concert announcement sparked offers from agents in the US and Europe, Shankar chose to focus on the Kuala Lumpur show first before considering further endeavors.