Shakti

Shakti was a fusion band founded by English guitarist John McLaughlin and Indian violinist L. Shankar with percussionists Zakir Hussain and Vikku Vinayakram. Initially formed in 1973 under the name “Turiyananda Sangit”, with a lineup consisting of McLaughlin, L. Shankar, Ramnad V. Raghavan and Mahālakṣmī Eve McLaughlin on Tanpura & Shruti box. Eve McLaughlin left the project, Zakir Hussain was added on tabla, and the group name changed to “Shakti” as the band wanted a name that “listeners in the West could relate to”. Raghavan also didn't stay with the project beyond the first album, and Vikku was added for the remainder of Shakti’s early career. The group played acoustic fusion music which combined Carnatic music with elements of jazz.