Early Life and Training

Annapurna Devi was born in Maihar, a small princely state in Central India, now in Madhya Pradesh. Her father, Ustad Allauddin Khan, was her first and only music teacher. He was a strict disciplinarian and an exceptional pedagogue, known for his deep understanding of Indian classical music. Under his tutelage, Annapurna learned the sitar and later the surbahar, an instrument similar to the sitar but larger and with a deeper tone.

Marriage and Musical Partnership

Annapurna Devi married the renowned sitar virtuoso Pandit Ravi Shankar in 1941. Their marriage, however, was troubled, and they eventually separated in 1967. During their marriage, Annapurna Devi's role was more of a teacher and a support to Ravi Shankar's burgeoning career. She taught him many ragas and compositions that contributed to his success. Despite their separation, both musicians maintained mutual respect for each other's artistry.

Teaching Career and Legacy

After her separation from Ravi Shankar, Annapurna Devi retreated from public performances and chose a life of seclusion in Mumbai. She dedicated herself to teaching, becoming a revered guru to many prominent musicians. Some of her notable disciples include Hariprasad Chaurasia (flute), Nikhil Banerjee (sitar), and her nephew, Ustad Aashish Khan (sarod).

Annapurna Devi was known for her strict teaching methods and deep knowledge of ragas. Her emphasis was on the purity of the notes (swara) and the emotional expression (bhava) of the raga. Though she performed rarely, her influence on Indian classical music was substantial through her students and the Maihar gharana.

Awards and Recognition

Despite her limited public performances, Annapurna Devi received several prestigious awards, including the Padma Bhushan in 1977, one of India's highest civilian honors. She was also awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, recognizing her contributions to Indian classical music.