December 9, 2001
Remembering George Harrison: Full of Love and
Fun
By RAVI SHANKAR
NCINITAS, Calif. -- I feel I have been
cheated by George. Why did he have to
go so soon at such a young age when I
really wanted to go first?
In moments like this, it is so hard to express
the feeling of emptiness and sadness within.
Like a film flashing by, everything comes to
my mind since I met him more than 30 years
ago. His childlike quality, his shy but naughty
little smile, his passion for all the music he
loved and the serious quest for religion,
particularly the old Vedic Hindu tradition,
always amazed me as well as attracted me.
The down-to-earth quality in George was
something I could relate to with such joy. He
would crack up when I told him all my jokes;
we had such fun! We always competed with
each other in punning. When I told him that I
was known as a "pundit" because of my
punning, he said something hilarious,
connecting the old Hindu scriptures of the four
Vedas (Rigveda, Samveda, Atharvaveda and
Yajurveda). He said: "Do you know the four
Wether brothers? They are Ric, Sam, Arthur
and George Wethers."
The only solid lessons on sitar he had from me
were in the summer and autumn of 1966,
which he couldn't pursue as much as we both
wanted. He was very talented and would have
become a great sitar player if only he could
have given some time. His love, knowledge and
understanding of Indian music developed
immensely over the years. I gave him a copy
of the book "Autobiography of a Yogi" by
Swami Yogananda, and my brother, Rajendra,
gave him a book by Swami Vivekananda. He
had such thirst for the knowledge and wisdom
of Indian traditions. In many ways he was
more Indian than many Indians.
Though I had been performing all over the
world since 1954, my association with George
attracted a whole young generation to sitar and
to me from the mid- 1960's. Even though I
didn't make any records jamming with him or
any other pop or rock star, I was treated like a
superstar, being the Beatle George's guru.
Then came Monterey, Woodstock and finally
the big Bangladesh concert, which he totally
handled in producing. Because of George we
had Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Leon Russell and
other eminent musicians.
After a year or so, when he spent time with me
in Varanasi at my house, he suggested we
make a couple of records and perhaps tour the
United States. We did the first recording in the
A&M Studios for his Dark Horse label. It was
then that he met dear Olivia (whom he married
in 1978). In the summer of 1974 the second
album was recorded ("Festival of India") at his own studio. I'll never forget those
couple of months when we worked on this album. I did all the compositions on
the M4 while traveling from London to his home in Henley. George created such
an atmosphere with such love and regard. We would start rehearsals in a
beautiful large hall with a view to his lovely garden. We would have Indian food
and snack between rehearsals.
The recording was finished with simultaneous editing, which George was doing
himself, always asking me to hear when he was satisfied. After this period of
creative joy we went to tour the United States, giving more than 30
performances. George had a special 737 Boeing jetliner completely refurbished
for us to travel in.
What touched me so much was his worry about my health and well being. He
would tell me always not to travel and exert myself so much. Then from the role
of disciple and friend he became more of a son to me, especially after my own
son Shubho died in 1992. He would fly and be with me whenever I was in the
hospital or not well with my heart problems. His love and concern touched me
deeply.
I'll never forget how much love, care and time he gave to another project he did
for me while staying in our house here in Encinitas. He went through all the
details, right from choosing all the artwork, to writing the notes, to producing the
four-CD boxed set "In Celebration," selections from my 40 years of sitar
performances and compositions. The last wonderful musical experience I had
with him was when we made the CD "Chants of India." We did some songs in
Madras and the major part at his own studio in his mansion at Henley. His
nearness and attention in producing the record always inspired me so. Even the
complex compositions came out of me so spontaneously.
Another one of many funny incidents was when George, Olivia and their son,
Dhani, came to India in 1995 and spent a few weeks. We went to Jaipur,
Jodhpur and Udaipur. In Bombay, Delhi and Calcutta people recognized George
and created a stampede, which George hated. But we had no such problem in
Rajasthan and he enjoyed it so much. On our last stop, Udaipur, while we were
walking in the busy main streets shopping — ornaments of silver, colourful
materials, dresses, turbans, having tea and snacks — all of a sudden there was a
big crowd which surrounded us. I was terrified thinking they had recognized
George, but it was actually me they were after. Then the funniest thing
happened. George, realizing the situation, immediately became my bodyguard.
"Move, move. No, no. Don't bother Panditji." And cordoning me with both his
hands, he brought me to our waiting car and saved me from those autograph
hunters. The others were already seated, and when the car started, we burst out
laughing.
My daughter Anoushka and my wife, Sukanya, also were so attached to him. He
had a beautiful and loving wife in Olivia and a wonderful son in Dhani. He had a
magnanimous heart and always cared so much. He was a fearless and beautiful
soul always conscious of God. I loved him dearly. Though he is gone physically,
he will always be alive and vibrant in my heart.
Ravi Shankar, the Indian sitar virtuoso, is completing his last full-scale concert
tour. |
