Collector’s Signed First Edition: Raga Mala: An Autobiography by Ravi Shankar

This listing presents a significant cultural artifact linking Western rock royalty with Indian classical music: a signed First American Edition copy of Raga Mala: An Autobiography by world-renowned sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar. Edited and introduced by his close friend and disciple, Beatles lead guitarist George Harrison, this autobiographical volume was published in 1999 by Welcome Rain Publishers following its limited genesis via Genesis Publications.

Raga Mala ("garland of ragas") details Shankar’s extraordinary life trajectory, from his youth as a dancer in his brother Uday’s troupe traveling through 1930s Europe to his rigorous classical music training under Ustad Allauddin Khan. The autobiography offers an intimate perspective on how Shankar popularized Indian classical music globally, bridging Eastern spiritual traditions and Western pop culture. Central to this journey was his transformative relationship with George Harrison, who championed Shankar’s artistry, co-organized the historic 1971 Concert for Bangladesh, and provided the loving editorial guidance for this retrospective volume.

Richly illustrated throughout with rare personal photographs, performance memorabilia, and archival documents, this trade hardcover release captures the essence of Shankar’s artistic legacy. Signed directly across the front dust jacket in bold permanent marker, this volume is an indispensible centerpiece for music historians, Beatles collectors, and aficionados of world music heritage.

Edition & Binding Specifications

• FIRST AMERICAN EDITION: Published in New York in 1999 by Welcome Rain Publishers. Stated First American Edition with complete number line.

• PUBLISHER BINDING: Bound in original publisher cloth with gold foil spine lettering.

• DUST JACKET FINISH: Protected by its original pictorial dust jacket printed in a metallic gold paisley motif. Features a central black-and-white portrait of Shankar playing the sitar on the front panel and a archival photograph of Harrison and Shankar on the rear panel.

Autograph Specifications & Provenance

• HAND-SIGNED BY RAVI SHANKAR: Distinctively signed in dark blue felt-tip marker by Ravi Shankar directly on the front panel of the dust jacket over the title layout.

• HISTORICAL PROVENANCE: Obtained in person during public promotional appearances surrounding the release of his retrospective autobiography.

• EXCEPTIONAL CONDITION: Offered in Fine condition—the original dust jacket remains clean and unclipped with vibrant colors and crisp gold foil gloss, housed over a square, tightly bound copy with immaculate interior pages.

• CONSIGNER NOTES: As a massive Beatles fan, it was impossible not to hear Ravi Shankar’s influence on his student, George Harrison. When George went on his first solo tour after the Beatles in 1974, Ravi Shankar was his opening act.  His collaborations with George Harrison and Yehudi Menuhin significantly influenced Western music and popularizing Indian classical music globally.  Ravi is not a common signature. So when this book came up for auction years ago, I had to have it.