#TBT: Musical Legend Ravi Shankar at Asia Society in 1962

Ravi Shankar poses with a sculpture from the Asia Society’s Rockefeller Collection in New York in 1962.

In this 1962 photo, the late Ravi Shankar poses with a sculpture from Asia Society’s Rockefeller Collection in New York. The Indian sitar virtuoso and composer’s long relationship with Asia Society began in 1957, when the Society presented Shankar's first American concert, at Carnegie Hall. Shankar was, in fact, the first Asian artist Asia Society presented to audiences following the 1956 founding of the organization. Shankar received Asia Society’s Cultural Legacy Award in 2010.

And for those who'd like more info on the sculpture Shankar is posing with, here are the official details from Asia Society Museum:

Sculpture: Male figure. Cambodia. Angkor period, Bayon style, early 13th century. Sandstone. H. 54 in. (137.2 cm). Asia Society, New York: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, 1979.72.1

This post marks Asia Society's foray into the #TBT or "Throwback Thursday" phenomenon. Each week, we'll reach into our archives to find a photo from the organization's nearly 60-year history. Some photos will feature important moments, some will feature important people, and others still will just be photos we love. Do you have an Asia Society photo you'd like us to consider including in this series? Please email the photo and any related details to [email protected] (we regret that we won't be able to respond directly to each inquiry).

Video: Ravi Shankar Receives Asia Society 'Cultural Legacy Award' in 2010 (3 min., 54 sec.)