Anoushka SharmaÂ´s (Pandit Ravi ShankarÂ´s Daughter) Official Statement On Recent Developments

Anoushka SharmaÂ´s (Pandit Ravi ShankarÂ´s Daughter) Official Statement On Recent Developments
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From the office of Anoushka Shankar:

To respect the many news media requests we have received, this statement by Anoushka Shankar and the Shankar Family is provided to answer the five major questions we’ve been asked, to clarify facts, and to dispel some rumors we’ve seen reported. We apologize for the delay in sending this as Anoushka has just had a hectic week with an appearance at the Hollywood Bowl where she conducted an orchestra playing a composition of her father’s, and also performed her own set with a unique blend of Indian and Western musicians. Hailed as the best performer of the evening by many, and confirmed by the LA Times in a review, “The Anoushka Shankar Project presented the evening's most genuinely progressive music. The program showcased her virtuosic sitar skills in pieces that incorporated such Western elements as cello and piano and slightly overamplified kit drums alongside the standard tabla drums, the shehnai reed instrument and droning tanpura.” Anoushka is among a very few Indian Artists who have performed at the Bowl and probably only the second Indian to have conducted there, other than Maestro Zubin Mehta. Anoushka has just come back home after attending a dinner in New York hosted by her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Wendi Murdoch and Indra Nooyi along with several heads of state to discuss how one can lower the mortality rate for pregnant and delivering women around the world. Again, apologies for the delay on delivering this statement to you, the media:

1. Though the extortion case became public only recently, this matter has been under investigation for several months by Criminal Investigators with the Gavin de Becker firm in the U.S. While Anoushka was made aware of every email sent by the extortionist, replies to the extortionist were actually composed by Criminal Investigators – not by Anoushka. Emails supposedly from Anoushka were actually written by investigators to draw out the extortionist. No content in any email is actually Anoushka’s content.

2. When it became clear that material had been stolen from Anoushka and that the extortionist was demanding money, a 29-page report from the U.S. investigators was provided to Indian officials, who investigated further and later made the arrest.

3. The extortionist made several references to selling material to tabloids. Though we do not know all details about the material the extortionist had in his possession, we’re told it includes some photos that might have been modified or photo shopped, as well as stolen emails that might also have been modified to enhance their value.

4. Contrary to some media reports, Anoushka has never met the man who has been arrested. Prior to the investigation, she had never heard his name.

Anoushka is grateful that police officials in India pursued the matter. Since Internet crimes are a frequent fact of life affecting so many people these days, Anoushka is hopeful that a successful outcome in this case will deter others from similar crimes. Despite the repercussions and public angle to it, Anoushka’s upbringing and strong family support, made her take a stand against this heinous act of extortion and do what she believes in.