WHEN YOU HAVE 20 million people hanging on your every word, you might smile as much as Ravi Shankar. His beam undoubtedly stretched even wider when he met 2.5 million of them in person in February.
African royalty, Indian politicians, European former prime ministers and Russian military chiefs mingled with international business executives, spiritual leaders, celebrities and humble plebs from 145 or so nations in an otherwise inauspicious venue of a Bangalore airfield - all there in his honour and to 'celebrate humanity'.
The occasion was the 25th anniversary celebrations of Ravi Shankar's Art of Living Foundation (AoLF) - the world's largest privately funded, volunteer-based non-government organisation, whose patented breathing technique has reportedly transformed the lives of millions.
For three days, his followers sat, meditated and listened to speakers and impromptu symphonies by 3,800 musicians who had apparently never met before.
'I tell you, it was a miracle,' the 49-year-old says, smiling broadly, perched on a chair in a Mid-Levels apartment, surrounded by about 20 grinning devotees. 'And there were no traffic jams, no incidents at all. It was so smooth.'
Ravi Shankar likes celebrating. He has just arrived from Indonesia, where he was celebrating with about 3,000 people. Last night he was celebrating at the Kowloon Shangri-La hotel with 800 or so well-heeled (and possibly well-healed) locals, and today he flies to Taiwan, presumably for more of the same.
