Concept:This question tests knowledge of which Indian classical musician brought the sitar to international prominence through global collaborations and performances.
Key Fact:Pandit Ravi Shankar is widely credited with popularizing the sitar worldwide, especially through his work with Western musicians like George Harrison of The Beatles.
Explanation:Among the given options, only Pandit Ravi Shankar actively engaged in global tours, cross-genre collaborations, and major international festivals. He performed at Monterey Pop (1967), Woodstock (1969), and the Concert for Bangladesh (1971). His collaboration with George Harrison on songs like "Norwegian Wood" introduced the sitar to pop and rock audiences. He also won Grammy Awards and received the Bharat Ratna. In contrast, Ustad Vilayat Khan focused on the gayaki ang style but did not pursue global outreach. Pandit Nikhil Banerjee emphasized purity of Indian classical music and had limited international exposure. Ustad Allauddin Khan was a legendary guru and innovator, but his role was not in globalizing the sitar directly. Thus, Ravi Shankar's efforts made the sitar an iconic world music instrument.
Answer:A. Pandit Ravi Shankar