Shankar: =?windows-1252?Q?=93George_was_more_Indian_than?=

Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2003 07:30:35 -0400
Newsgroups: rec.music.beatles
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 From the Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
June 13, 2003
“George was more Indian than many Indians”
Pandit Ravi Shankar pays a tribute to late Beatles star George Harrison.
In an article specially written for Connecting, the maestro remembers
his great friend and one of the giants of modern British music.
"It was surprising for me to find that George, when I met him, had such
deep interests in music, philosophy and the spiritual quest of India.
Though I was well known already all over Europe and America as a
celebrated Indian classical musician, when George became my student in
1966, suddenly the sitar, myself and Indian music became so popular
among the younger generation all over the world. I become a superstar!
I did have problems for a couple of years with the superficial
appreciation and the strong association of drugs with my young admirers,
but by fighting for the correct approach for a few years, I could
transfer my audiences gradually to have respect and understanding. I do
feel so happy to see the true appreciation of our music today among
audiences all over! George had helped me a great deal in this aspect.
His love and respect for Indian music, religion, especially the Vedic
culture, was so unique! He studied deeply into all our scriptures and
was always overjoyed to meet some of the yogis and religious men.
The only solid lessons on sitar he had from me was 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.
Nevertheless, he continued to learn from me whenever he could. His love,
knowledge and understanding of Indian music developed immensely over he
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
in 1996. He had such thirst for all the knowledge and wisdom of Indian
traditions. In many ways he was more Indian than many Indians.
We spent some times together, quite often a few days at a time, in India
and different parts of the world. Ours was a combined relationship of
father, son teacher and student. But mostly we were buddies, sharing
jokes and punning all the time. The down-to-earth quality in George was
something I could relate to with such joy. He would crack up when I told
him my jokes; we had such fun!
We 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.”
What touched me was his worry about my health and well- being. He would
tell me always not to travel and exert myself so much. From a 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
hospital or not well with my heart problems. His love and concern
touched me deeply.
Anoushka and Sukanya 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 person with lots of normal
human qualities. He stood out as a great, God-loving soul and a
musician-- which one can clearly realise through his songs!
I still cannot accept his leaving us so soon. He was a frearless and
beautiful soul always so conscious of God. I love him dearly. Though he
is gone physically, he will always be alive and vibrant in my heart.”
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