Remembering George Harrison (by Ravi Shankar)

[Guest guest]

The New York Times

December 9, 2001

 

Remembering George Harrison: Full of Love and Fun

By RAVI SHANKAR

 

ENCINITAS, 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.

 

 

 

 

 

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