It’s no hyperbole to say that ANOUSHKA SHANKAR was born to play sitar. After all, her father, Ravi, is the world’s most famous sitarist, and she’s studied with him since she was nine.

That interior exploration also led Shankar to create her latest album, Rise (Angel), which combines Indian and European classical music, flamenco, didjeridoo, and electronic soundscapes. Although some 40 players appear on the disc, Shankar will re-create its songs with her eight-piece ensemble when she appears at the Berklee Performance Center on October 22.

Shankar has been performing extensively since her debut recording, 1998’s Anoushka (Angel), and her month-long October tour follows three weeks on the road with her father. As for all foreign artists, the trials of travel to and from the US continue thanks to post-9/11 security measures, trials now compounded by the latest round of air-terrorist arrests in Great Britain.

If Indian classical music and old-school American blues have a crossroads, it’s positive energy. Both forms are designed to help cure what ails the mind and spirit. So it’s fitting that another major event on the local roots calendar is the 11th annual free BOSTON BLUES FESTIVAL, at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade next weekend, September 23 and 24, from noon to 6 pm.

Despite being a Herculean task, the festival is run by its founder and organizer, WBRS blues disc jockey Greg Sarni, with a mere handful of volunteers and sponsors, under Sarni’s non-profit Blues Trust Productions umbrella. On Saturday he’s arranged a reunion of Anson Funderburgh and singer Darrell Nulisch, the duo who formed Texas blues outfit the Rockets 30 years ago. Jimmy & the Soul Cats, Boston Blues Express, Loaded Dice, and Mary Lou Ferrante will also play. On Sunday another Texas legend, Finus Tasby, headlines with guests Enrico Crivellaro and local hero Brian Templeton of the Radio Kings. Sixties revivalists the Soul Band, the Dave Hannon Band, and a trio of Bill McQuaid, Jim Fitting, and Steve Sadler will also perform; visit www.bluestrust.com .

At Johnny D’s in Somerville, there’s Texas swingers ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL (November 15), Celtic outfit OLD BLIND DOG (September 27), the CARPATHIAN FOLK QUARTET (September 28), PETER CASE AND JOHN DEE GRAHAM (October 10), guitarist BADI ASSAD (October 17), DUKE ROBILLARD fresh from touring with Tom Waits (November 4), and PAUL RISHELL & ANNIE RAINES (November 21). The Regattabar in the Charles Hotel in Cambridge has historic soul and R&B man AL KOOPER (September 28), ROOMFUL OF BLUES (November 10), and SHEMEKIAH COPELAND (November 16). Rock room T.T. the Bear’s Place in Cambridge gets in on the scene with ROSIE THOMAS and DAMIEN JURADO (October 5) and the DETROIT COBRAS (November 18). Just around the corner, the Middle East has the REVEREND HORTON HEAT and TH’ LEGENDARY SHACK SHAKERS (November 5). Harpers Ferry in Allston has New Orleans’s REBIRTH BRASS BAND (November 3). MARTA TOPFEROVA brings her blend of Czech and Latin music to Scullers in the DoubleTree Guest Suites Hotel in Boston (September 27); KEVIN CONNOLLY holds court at Tír na nÓg in Somerville (October 7).

Ryles in Inman Square in Cambridge has become a presence in the local roots, jazz, and world-music arena over the past year. Upcoming shows include bluesman RACKY THOMAS (September 29) and old-school West Coast blues belter JANIVA MAGNESS (October 27).

Fans of accomplished musical imports are advised to check the Web site of presenter World Music/CRASH Arts and to be on the lookout for events listed under the World Rhythm umbrella. Both outfits sport a varied and impressive menu this fall. In addition to Anoushka Shankar, World Music offers blazing Mexican guitar duo RODRIGO Y GABRIELA (September 23), Ireland’s LÚNASA (October 14), and the CELTIC FIDDLE FESTIVAL (October 28), all at the Somerville Theatre, and African percussion ensemble the ROYAL DRUMMERS OF BURUNDI plus MOMBASSA PARTY at Sanders Theatre in Cambridge (September 30).

The season’s African-music highlight will be the “Putamayo Presents Acoustic Africa” revue at the Somerville Theatre (November 17), a triple bill with the great Malian guitarist and vocalist HABIB KOITÉ, South African songwriter VUSI MAHLASELA, and, in her Boston-area debut, Ivory Coast singer, dancer, and percussionist DOBET GNAHORÉ, whose exciting performances are generating a buzz in world-music circles.

Also at the Somerville, Guinea’s BA CISSOKO will bring his Manding rock sound to town (November 10), and giant of Irish song MAURA O’CONNELL plays there the following night.

This is cache, read story here