World premiere of Ravi Shankar's last opera opens

London: Sitar maestro Ravi Shankar’s last composition — an opera called Sukanya, inspired by a Mahabharata character after whom his wife was named — opens in the UK on Friday.

Mr Shankar worked on the opera during his last days in hospital with conductor and collaborator David Murphy.

It was completed by his daughter and disciple Anoushka Shankar after his death in 2012.

“It thrills me that this final project of my father’s, about which he was so passionate, is finally coming to life,” Ms Anoushka said.

The opera tells the story from the Mahabharata of Sukanya, King Saryat’s young daughter, who marries the ancient sage, Chyavana, after she accidentally blinds him.

The premiere takes place at the Curve theatre in Leicester.