--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In India, I have been called a…" description: "\"In India, I have been called a 'destroyer.' But that is only because they mixed my identity as a performer and as a composer. As a composer I have trie..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61d/ravi-shankar-17238_am_in-india-i-have-been-called-a-destroyer_1989988.jpg" --- # In India, I have been called a 'destroyer.' But that is… ![“In India, I have been called a 'destroyer.' But that is only because they mixed my identity as a performer and as a composer. As a composer I have tried everything, even electronic music and avant-garde. But as a performer I am, believe me, getting more classical and more orthodox, jealously…” quote by Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61d/ravi-shankar-17238_am_in-india-i-have-been-called-a-destroyer_1989988.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61d/ravi-shankar-17238_am_in-india-i-have-been-called-a-destroyer_1989988.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/61d/ravi-shankar-17238_am_in-india-i-have-been-called-a-destroyer_1989988.jpg) > “In India, I have been called a 'destroyer.' But that is only because they mixed my identity as a performer and as a composer. As a composer I have tried everything, even electronic music and avant-garde. But as a performer I am, believe me, getting more classical and more orthodox, jealously protecting the heritage that I have learned.” [Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shankar/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He explains that others label him a “destroyer” because they conflate his roles as performer and composer, leading to misunderstandings about his artistic choices. **In simple terms:** People misinterpret his identity, mixing his performance and composition work. Key Takeaway Clarify your artistic identity to avoid mislabeling. Themes identity artistic integrity cultural heritage misinterpretation Mood reflective defensive Type personal explanatory When to use this quote - concert programming - recording projects - educational workshops - collaborations with electronic artists Key Concepts musicology genre blending cultural preservation Questions to Reflect On - How do you separate audience expectations from personal artistic growth? - What steps can you take to communicate your dual roles more clearly? A Different Perspective His label may overlook the nuance of his evolving style. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/am/) [Avant garde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/avant-garde/) [Because](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/because/) [Been](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/been/) [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Called Destroyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called-destroyer-1659918/) [Classical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/classical/) [Composer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/composer/) [Destroyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroyer/) [Destroyer Mixed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroyer-mixed-3444838/) [Electronic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/electronic/) [Electronic music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/electronic-music/) [Even](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/even/) [Everything](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/everything/) [Getting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting/) [Getting Classical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/getting-classical-3444839/) [Heritage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heritage/) [I am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-am/) [I have learned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-have-learned/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Identity Performer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity-performer-2478465/) [India](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/india/) [Learned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learned/) [Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/me/) [Mixed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mixed/) [More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/more/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [Orthodox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/orthodox/) [Performer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performer/) [Performer Composer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performer-composer-2452694/) [Protecting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protecting/) [Tried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tried/) ## Related quotes > [You wonder why you're called the destroyer-stroyer Stereo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/static-x/you-wonder-why-you-re-called-the-destroyer-stroyer-stereo/) [Static-X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/static-x/) > [Before I start, I create a set list that I listen to while I'm writing. For 'Intimate Apparel,' I loaded Erik Satie, Scott Joplin,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-nottage/before-i-start-i-create-a-set-list-that-i-listen-to-while-i-m-writing/) [Lynn Nottage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-nottage/) > [As an artist, you want to form your own identity and be your own performer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corinne-bailey-rae/as-an-artist-you-want-to-form-your-own-identity-and-be-your-own/) [Corinne Bailey Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corinne-bailey-rae/) > [Love. The great destroyer of worlds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jocelyn-davies/love-the-great-destroyer-of-worlds/) [Jocelyn Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jocelyn-davies/) > [Jesus said, 'Greater things of these you shall do...' Become a peace builder, a bridge builder, not a destroyer, and the way you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/jesus-said-greater-things-of-these-you-shall-do-become-a-peace/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [I am Shiva, Destroyer of Worlds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tucker-max/i-am-shiva-destroyer-of-worlds/) [Tucker Max](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tucker-max/) > [“There are some people who through hurts do not feel they are good enough and this is a destroyer of their self-images. As a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/there-are-some-people-who-through-hurts-do-not-feel-they-are-good/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [“Protector and destroyer were two sides of the same coin. Who knew which one would come out in a toss-up?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mina-khan/protector-and-destroyer-were-two-sides-of-the-same-coin-who-knew/) [Mina Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mina-khan/) > [Man is the only living species that has the power to act as his own destroyer - and that is the way he has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/man-is-the-only-living-species-that-has-the-power-to-act-as-his-own/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [I'd rather play an ass-kicking destroyer or a super strong spy or agent than some meek, vulnerable character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tricia-helfer/i-d-rather-play-an-ass-kicking-destroyer-or-a-super-strong-spy-or/) [Tricia Helfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tricia-helfer/) > [You do it again Destroyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/static-x/you-do-it-again-destroyer/) [Static-X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/static-x/) > [It's not the Dark Destroyer no more, because everything synonymous with the Dark Destroyer I don't want to know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-benn/it-s-not-the-dark-destroyer-no-more-because-everything-synonymous/) [Nigel Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-benn/) > [War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/war-must-be-while-we-defend-our-lives-against-a-destroyer-who-would/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I am become death, destroyer of worlds”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kass-morgan/i-am-become-death-destroyer-of-worlds/) [Kass Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kass-morgan/) > [Time.The greatest creator, and the worst destroyer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/levi-keely/time-the-greatest-creator-and-the-worst-destroyer/) [Levi Keely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/levi-keely/) ## More by Ravi Shankar > [What Sri Chinmoy does is God-given! He has a tremendous, a fantastic creative urge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shankar/what-sri-chinmoy-does-is-god-given-he-has-a-tremendous-a-fantastic/) [Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shankar/) > [In our culture we have such respect for musical instruments, they are like part of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shankar/in-our-culture-we-have-such-respect-for-musical-instruments-they-are/) [Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shankar/) > [One single raga can be performed for two hours, three hours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shankar/one-single-raga-can-be-performed-for-two-hours-three-hours/) [Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shankar/) > [I will keep playing as long as my body lets me, and as long as I'm wanted by my listeners. Because music is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shankar/i-will-keep-playing-as-long-as-my-body-lets-me-and-as-long-as-i-m/) [Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shankar/) > [There cannot possibly be a god in heaven watching all of this calmly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shankar/there-cannot-possibly-be-a-god-in-heaven-watching-all-of-this-calmly/) [Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shankar/) > [When people say that George Harrison made me famous, that is true in a way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shankar/when-people-say-that-george-harrison-made-me-famous-that-is-true-in-a/) [Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shankar/) > [I love the work of Matisse and Picasso, but I don't have enough millions to own one. And I don't really believe in owning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shankar/i-love-the-work-of-matisse-and-picasso-but-i-don-t-have-enough/) [Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shankar/) > [Pop changes week to week, month to month. But great music is like literature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shankar/pop-changes-week-to-week-month-to-month-but-great-music-is-like/) [Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shankar/) > [I try to give to my music the spiritual quality, very deep in the soul, which does something even if you are not realizing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shankar/i-try-to-give-to-my-music-the-spiritual-quality-very-deep-in-the-soul/) [Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shankar/) > [In the U.K., classical music is composed by individuals and written down. Indian music is based on certain sequences called ragas. When I perform…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shankar/in-the-u-k-classical-music-is-composed-by-individuals-and-written/) [Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shankar/) > [I appreciate very much Vilayat Khan, the sitar player, and Bismillah Khan, the shehnai player; and among the tabla players, of course, Alla Rakha,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shankar/i-appreciate-very-much-vilayat-khan-the-sitar-player-and-bismillah/) [Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shankar/) > [I have great difficulty sitting in the middle of the night and writing. Everything I do comes spontaneous. Sometimes it takes a long time;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shankar/i-have-great-difficulty-sitting-in-the-middle-of-the-night-and/) [Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shankar/) > [The music that I have learned and want to give is like worshipping God. It's absolutely like a prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shankar/the-music-that-i-have-learned-and-want-to-give-is-like-worshipping/) [Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shankar/) > [My secret ambition was always to provide music for animation films: something with an Indian theme, either a fairy tale or mythological tale or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shankar/my-secret-ambition-was-always-to-provide-music-for-animation-films/) [Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shankar/) > [I enjoy seeing other Indian musicians - old and young - coming to Europe and America and having some success. I'm happy to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shankar/i-enjoy-seeing-other-indian-musicians-old-and-young-coming-to-europe/) [Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shankar/) [Explore all 37 Ravi Shankar quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shankar/) ## More Am quotes > [I don't own designer clothes, or a sports car, or a huge house, but I am seeing the world, experiencing amazing things, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roz-savage/i-don-t-own-designer-clothes-or-a-sports-car-or-a-huge-house-but-i-am/) [Roz Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roz-savage/) > [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/) [Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/) > [I am not a depressive person at all, but I reflect a lot on my life, and life in general, from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-am-not-a-depressive-person-at-all-but-i-reflect-a-lot-on-my-life/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [Any incarnation of 'Batman' I am delighted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-west/any-incarnation-of-batman-i-am-delighted-to-do/) [Adam West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-west/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [I am confident when I take the penalty otherwise I would pass for somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-am-confident-when-i-take-the-penalty-otherwise-i-would-pass-for/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [I am on sabbatical as of right now, been too busy to think of about my OWN needs as of late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-diamond/i-am-on-sabbatical-as-of-right-now-been-too-busy-to-think-of-about-my/) [Jim Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-diamond/) > [I am strongly opposed to any form of amnesty, including, especially, executive amnesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-scalise/i-am-strongly-opposed-to-any-form-of-amnesty-including-especially/) [Steve Scalise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-scalise/) > [I am no different from a lot of people. I am concerned for the future of my children and concerned for the future of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barnes/i-am-no-different-from-a-lot-of-people-i-am-concerned-for-the-future/) [John Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barnes/) > [I won't be managing the Mets. I am closing the door on managing the Mets and probably everybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-torre/i-won-t-be-managing-the-mets-i-am-closing-the-door-on-managing-the/) [Joe Torre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-torre/) > [I know who I am. I know what I represent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cora/i-know-who-i-am-i-know-what-i-represent/) [Alex Cora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cora/) > [I am fortunate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-am-fortunate/) [Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/) > [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/) [Darlene Senger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darlene-senger/) > [Acting is what I do with who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-walter/acting-is-what-i-do-with-who-i-am/) [Harriet Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-walter/) > [I am a big outliner. For my adult book, 'The Visibles,' I did not outline, and it took me two years to write because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-shepard/i-am-a-big-outliner-for-my-adult-book-the-visibles-i-did-not-outline/) [Sara Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-shepard/) [Browse all 9,589 Am quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/am/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In India, I have been called a 'destroyer.' But that is only because they mixed my identity as a performer and as a composer. As a composer I have tried everything, even electronic music and avant-garde. 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