In the mid-1960s, George Harrison, the quiet and introspective member of The Beatles, embarked on a musical and spiritual journey that would profoundly shape his life and influence generations. This transformation began with an unexpected encounter with the sitar during the filming of Help! in 1965.
While shooting scenes set in an Indian restaurant, Harrison was exposed to the sitar for the first time. Intrigued by its haunting, resonant sound, he picked up the instrument between takes. The experience left a lasting impression. Soon after, he purchased his own sitar from a London shop and began experimenting with it. This experimentation culminated in the inclusion of the sitar on The Beatles’ song “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” from the 1965 album Rubber Soul—marking one of the first uses of the instrument in Western pop music.
Harrison’s fascination deepened when he repeatedly heard the name Ravi Shankar mentioned in conversations. As he later recalled, “Somewhere down the line I began to hear Ravi Shankar’s name, and then I heard it again, and then the third time I heard it, I thought, ‘This is an odd coincidence.'” Friends from The Byrds, particularly David Crosby and Roger McGuinn, played a key role by recommending Shankar’s recordings during The Beatles’ time in the United States. When Harrison finally listened to a Ravi Shankar record, the music struck him deeply. “It hit a certain spot in me that I can’t explain,” he said. “My intellect didn’t know what was going on… but this other part of me identified with it. It seemed very familiar to me.”
This initial exposure felt almost predestined, as if the sounds resonated with something innate within him—perhaps from a past life or a deeper spiritual connection. The sitar was no longer just a novelty; it became a gateway to Indian classical music and Eastern philosophy.
The pivotal in-person meeting occurred in June 1966 at a dinner party in London, hosted by Ayana Deva Angadi of the Asian Music Circle. Shankar, already an acclaimed sitar virtuoso, was the guest of honor. Harrison attended, eager to express his admiration and seek guidance. From the outset, an immediate and profound connection formed. Shankar later described it as something that “clicked from the very beginning with George.” Harrison, in turn, regarded Shankar as “the first person who ever impressed me in my life,” noting that he was the only one who didn’t try to impress him.
What began as admiration quickly evolved into a mentor-student relationship. Shankar agreed to teach Harrison properly, starting with basic lessons at Harrison’s home in Esher, Surrey. These sessions covered posture, fingering techniques, and fundamental exercises. In September 1966, Harrison traveled to India with his wife Pattie Boyd for intensive study under Shankar’s guidance, immersing himself in the instrument, Indian classical traditions, and spiritual practices like meditation and yoga.
This encounter marked the beginning of a lifelong friendship and collaboration. Shankar’s influence extended far beyond technical instruction; he introduced Harrison to the philosophical and spiritual dimensions of Indian music. Harrison incorporated these elements into his songwriting—evident in tracks like “Love You To” and “Within You Without You”—and his broader worldview. Their partnership reached a global peak with the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh, where Harrison organized the historic benefit event featuring Shankar and other musicians to aid refugees.
George Harrison’s discovery of Ravi Shankar was more than a musical revelation; it was a transformative awakening that bridged Eastern and Western cultures, enriching rock music with the depth of Indian classical traditions and inspiring countless artists to explore beyond their familiar horizons.
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