Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Family Tree: The Story Behind Art of Living

Ravi Shankar Kalarahalli, known as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, born 13 May 1956 in Papanasam, Tanjore District, Tamil Nadu, India, is an Indian spiritual leader and founder of the Art of Living Foundation (1981) — global with 156 countries; developed the Sudarshan Kriya breathing technique; International Association for Human Values (1997); Padma Vibhushan (2016).

The Family's Roots: A Tamil Iyengar Brahmin Family

The Shankar family is Tamil Iyengar Brahmin from Papanasam, Tanjavur.

His Parents

Father: Venkat Ratnam — worked in Bangalore.

Mother: Vishalakshi Ratnam — homemaker.

His Sister

Bhanumathi Narasimhan, born 1959 — younger sister; Executive Chairperson of Sri Sri University; Art of Living leader.

The Shankar Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Venkat Ratnam.

Mother: Vishalakshi Ratnam.

Sister: Bhanumathi Narasimhan (b. 1959) — Sri Sri University Chair.

Marital Status: Celibate; no children.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:

  • Born 13 May 1956, Papanasam
  • Vedic scholar training from age 4; reportedly recited the Bhagavad Gita at 4
  • St Joseph's College, Bengaluru (Physics degree at 17)
  • Associate of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (Transcendental Meditation) until leaving to form his own
  • Art of Living Foundation founded 1981 at Shimoga, Karnataka
  • Sudarshan Kriya — signature breathing technique developed 1982
  • Global HQ: Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth, near Bengaluru
  • Peace missions: Iraq (2007), Kashmir, Sri Lanka, Colombia, Ukraine (2022)
  • Padma Shri (1986), Padma Vibhushan (2016)
  • Founder Sri Sri University (2009) in Cuttack, Odisha

What the Shankar Family Story Teaches Us

A father who worked in Bangalore. A homemaker mother. A younger sister who is now the Executive Chair of Sri Sri University. A celibate life dedicated to spirituality. A foundation now in 156 countries teaching a breathing technique to millions.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Sri Sri story carries the same lesson. Some careers turn a childhood Vedic recital into a global peace foundation.

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