--- title: "Learn Sitar via Guru-Shishya Parampara with Shubhendra Rao" description: "Experience authentic Sitar training in the Maihar Gharana style. Join my Guru-Shishya Parampara program to learn Indian classical music with depth and devotion." canonical: https://mytribe.in/shubsitar/music-education-programs/the-guru-shishya-parampara-a-living-tradition last_updated: 2025-09-22 --- # Authentic Sitar Training Through the Guru-Shishya Parampara Tribe Verified · Direct disciple of Bharat Ratna Pt. Ravi Shankar By [Shubhendra Rao](https://mytribe.in/shubsitar) · Conducts programs at schools and colleges across India · ₹8,000 per session (estimate) Part of [Music Education Programs](https://mytribe.in/shubsitar/music-education-programs). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/shubsitar/music-education-programs/gallery) Music is a sacred dialogue between master and disciple. This is how I learned from my Guru, the legendary Pt. Ravi Shankar, and how I now pass the lineage of the Maihar Gharana to the next generation. ## Photos and videos - ![It is a blessing to pay homage to my Guru, Pandit Ravi Shankar, on his birth anniversary. This poster is from a tribute concert where I performed his compositions, continuing the legacy he so generously passed on to me.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cdc40153-823b-4d30-8e5e-2adcc2b7a70e) - ![Celebrating Guru Purnima is a humbling experience. This altar, with pictures of my Gurus, is a reminder of the knowledge and wisdom they bestowed upon me, for which I am eternally grateful.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6c319878-92b1-4a55-a17d-a8eef64a5227) - ![A beautiful sketch of my Guru, Pandit Ravi Shankar. On Guru Purnima, we celebrate the guiding light who shows us the path, and for me, he remains a constant source of divine inspiration.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7348950f-9192-4a77-a711-6cabdbe84536) - [Video: During my morning practice, I often feel my Guru's presence. Here I am playing Raga Bairagi Todi, a beautiful pentatonic raga he composed, with his photograph watching over me.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fa5e5bd7-6182-4f73-b3ea-26c598559661) - [Video: The Sitar Ramarao Utsav was a 20-year dream come true, a tribute to my father and first Guru. This video captures my feelings after the event, filled with gratitude for the disciples, artists, and audience who made it a huge success.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e3314f68-18af-4328-9975-7f4f7b1fc811) - ![The Sitar Ramarao Utsav received wonderful media coverage, including this feature in The New Indian Express. It was heartening to see my father's immense contribution to music being celebrated as a "monumental celebration."](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/849d89d4-6f7d-4b7f-9b36-3e0a4a8002b2) - ![Another lovely preview of the Sitar Ramarao Utsav, this time in The Hindu. This article discusses the "Strings of Tradition" and the importance of continuing the legacy of my father and his Guru.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7f1549b4-52fe-4b58-bce7-e260f04fd886) - [Video: I was deeply moved and honoured to receive this video testimonial from the legendary flute maestro, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, for my father's festival. His blessings and kind words about my family mean the world to me.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4963ae14-540e-4544-bb1f-28e405afbbc5) - [Video: Receiving blessings from Smt. Sukanya Ravishankar ji, wife of my Guru, for the Sitar Ramarao Utsav was incredibly special. Her good wishes are a direct connection to the blessings of my Guruji himself.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/088228c9-9e44-45b6-aa69-4973133b84de) - [Video: A testimonial from Smt. Suma Talithaya, a student of my father since 1988. Her words about how the music, stories, and even the "agarbathi scent in class" shaped her childhood show the deep impact of a true Guru.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a4094fe1-f55a-49d0-889c-461189b4edb6) - [Video: This testimonial from Manu Prasad, another disciple of my father, highlights the dedication and kindness with which my father taught, personally writing out lessons to make a challenging instrument a rewarding experience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/345519b8-d47f-42e1-a26f-978c25236ce3) - [Video: Dr. Prithvi S Balepur, a senior disciple, speaks about how my father not only taught him music but also helped him grow musically and spiritually. This is the essence of the Guru-Shishya relationship.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4884898d-dd0e-418a-94c2-3c1e1ca506aa) - [Video: Pt. Radhakrishna T shares his memories of my father as a Guru who was also a father figure to him. This deep, personal connection is what makes the Guru-Shishya parampara so unique and powerful.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a62289ee-22e9-4ac5-a5c7-4ddbbe8e0b48) - [Video: A testimonial from Sri Srinivas in California, who learned from my father from 1988 to 1995. He speaks of my father as a "storehouse of knowledge" who was a wonderful and professional teacher.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a89c6de1-9232-4db2-948c-1b4d1269d285) - [Video: Sri Mohan Bhadbhade from Sydney shares his treasured memories of learning from my father. He beautifully describes the atmosphere of the class and the valuable life lessons he learned beyond just music.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/84503d85-cdcc-4da1-bc0c-833f0b347ef5) - [Video: Smt. Saritha Nagendra describes how my father helped her transform "raw potential into a refined art form." Her memories of practice sessions filled with discipline, joy, and warmth capture the spirit of our home.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4b877db5-a813-4690-87dd-cd132e4d2df6) - [Video: Smt. Pramila Lochan, another disciple, speaks of the "magical reality" of learning from my father and the invaluable handwritten notes that continue to teach her even today.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/da5d1cb4-340d-4cc7-a8ee-02f543edf02c) - [Video: Smt. Usha Shrivastav, who learned from my father for over a decade starting in 1972, shares how he brought the "divine world of music" into her life with love, sincerity, and great humility.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/616e0b97-1722-4245-a84e-609f2fa9825c) - [Video: A moving testimonial from my sister, Sadhana Jayaram, who is also a disciple of our father. She shares how he was both a father and a Guru, and how music was a part of his very being until his last breath.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e54ac5c5-13fd-4537-9248-38c623606f2d) - [Video: These photos show the sheer devotion my father, Pt. N. R. Rama Rao, had for his Guru, Pt. Ravi Shankar. This reverence and surrender is a lesson in itself and the foundation of our musical tradition.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b5a74bd6-8a03-4db4-b1c8-298c60ec502f) - [Video: A historic meeting of great minds. Here is Kannada cinema icon Dr. Rajkumar with Bharat Ratna Pt. Ravi Shankar and my father, his close friend, Pt. N. R. Rama Rao, exchanging creative ideas.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a24edbb5-7efc-4513-942a-756ba4caf606) - [Video: History repeats itself, and the legacy continues. These archival photos show my father with his Guru, and the blessings Pt. Ravi Shankar bestowed upon him, which I now strive to carry forward.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4ba2754e-3bc3-449d-8488-3463c5bf700c) - [Video: A proud moment for our family when my father was honoured with the Sangeeta Ratna Mysore T Chowdiah Memorial State Award in 1994-95. This is a testament to his lifelong service to Indian classical music.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a4e22174-7224-452b-8922-11c107744384) - [Video: This is a very rare, 100-year-old Surbahar, gifted to my family by the legendary Kannada film star Dr. Raj Kumar. Playing it in front of the Goddess Saraswati on Vasant Panchami was a deeply emotional and divine experience.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/44631cd2-7dac-48fa-b011-b08d0fc2154a) - ![The divine presence of Goddess Saraswati guides us in our music room. She is the source of all knowledge and art, and her blessings are essential for any musician's journey.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8f2ad044-0e3a-424e-9aed-2648192e6dfd) - [Video: It was a joy to host a Saraswati Puja at our home, celebrating Basant Panchami with fellow musicians, students, and music lovers. The positive and vibrant energy in the room was a blessing for all of us.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7ba3a51f-8f9d-4af1-865c-e500e6e6f441) ## About The Guru-Shishya Parampara: A Living Tradition Unlike generic music schools, my private mentorship happens at my personal residence in Padmini Enclave. We do not follow a rigid, one-size-fits-all syllabus. Instead, we focus on Gayaki Ang and the subtle nuances of Raga improvisation that can only be picked up by sitting across from me, listening to the flow of the music, and observing my daily riyaz. The Guru-Shishya Parampara is not just a teaching method, it is a way of life that demands patience and devotion. When you train with me, you are stepping into a tradition that traces its roots through my father, Pt. N.R. Rama Rao, and back to the great Bharat Ratna Pt. Ravi Shankar. My goal is to equip serious students with the technical precision and the spiritual depth required to play the Sitar with true intent. My approach to mentorship is grounded in the Maihar Gharana style. We look at everything from proper Meend production and Jhala speed to the emotional weight behind each note. This is a journey of learning with the heart, not just reading notation from a page. I provide access to my handwritten composition notes, share stories from my years of travel and performance, and offer guidance on stagecraft and microphone technique to prepare you for real-world performances. This training is ideal for advanced students or professionals who own a professional-grade Sitar and are ready to commit to a rigorous path of musical growth. Because this is a personal transmission of knowledge, I work with a limited number of students. If you are serious about refining your craft or correcting specific techniques, we can start with an intensive diagnostic masterclass to assess your current proficiency and build a roadmap for your future study. ## About Shubhendra Rao I am a sitarist and a humble servant of the Maihar Gharana, blessed to have been trained by my father and the legendary Pt. Ravi Shankar. My life is dedicated to this music, and I find my greatest joy in sharing the depth of our traditions with dedicated students who are ready to learn from the heart. 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