"The Beatles and India" Features Fab Four's Meditative Sojourn

The influence of Indian music on George Harrison goes all the way back to his time in the womb. Harrison’s mother, Louise, believed that the tranquil, comforting, trance-like strains of the sitar, sarod and tambura would lead to a healthy pregnancy, birth and baby.

It worked in more way than one, with Harrison going on to become a Beatle. But he also absorbed Indian classical music from day one, and Harrison’s immersion with Indian music and the Beatles famous spring 1968 spiritual visit to the guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is the subject of “India and the Beatles,” an engrossing, informative and entertaining documentary that can be streamed exclusively on BritBox in North America. A companion CD of song inspired by the film and the original score is also available.

The film includes extensive footage of George, John, Paul and Ringo in India practicing transcendental meditation with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to advance their spiritual lives, and perhaps unwittingly, their music. “The Beatles and India” features interviews with the group at the time and new commentary from Harrison’s then wife, Pattie Boyd, giving an intimate glimpse into life on the ashram.

“The Beatles and India” is more than a musical tale. It’s also about how Indian music weaved its way into both the Beatles music and the cultural fabric of countries around the world as Beatles fans discovered Indian influences through their favorite group’s songs. Many Indian musicians are interviewed about their country’s influence on the Beatles and the group spreading the word about Indian music around the globe in a way that would otherwise be impossible.

The seeds of the group’s 1968 sojourn to India were planted by Harrison from the band’s first visit in 1966. He was especially taken by the sitar and its masters like Ravi Shankar, who became Harrison’s teacher. Harrison had used the instrument to great success on the 1966 “Rubber Soul” album with the song “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown).” Harrison would also release a 1968 solo album, “Wonderwall Music,” that completely embraced Indian classical music. Additional Beatles tunes of Indian influence that come to mind are “Tomorrow Never Knows” and “Love You To” (Revolver), “Within You Without You” (Sgt. Pepper), and “The Inner Light” (B-side to the “Lady Madonna” single).”

Harrison stayed at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram for four months (the other three left a month to two months earlier citing family obligations and a desire to return to work in England on new Beatles material. Indeed, the “White Album” tracks “Dear Prudence” (about fellow ashram visitor Prudence Farrow, and “The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill” (centered on a hunting expedition), were directly influenced by the Beatles’ time in India.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s teachings and meditation sessions are a central part of the film. The Beatles, who once adored him and followed his every instruction, eventually became disillusioned, which leads to the film’s denouement. At the time, Lennon had especially harsh words for the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, implying that he was a charlatan. Later on Lennon would soften his view.

But for Harrison, the study of Indian classical music became a lifelong pursuit that drives “The Beatles and India,” a must see for Beatles fanatics, casual fans and any fan of high-quality documentaries.

The companion CD, “The Beatles and India: Songs Inspired By The Film,” a compendium of Beatles tunes performed by Indian artists with Indian instrumentation, is a wonderful listen. The disc starts with the soft, tender tones of Kiss Nuka on “Tomorrow Never Knows” (she also interjects the Indian language) backed by a mid-tempo, dance beat of Indian rhythms. Additional high point “Gimme Some Truth,” a John Lennon solo album number, is given the spoken word and traditional singing treatment with reggae tones by Soulmate, while “Across the Universe” features the beautiful, soulful vocals Tejas/Mali.

Additional highlights include the lush harmonies on Dhruv Ghanekar’s take on “Julia,” the dynamic, meditative mood of “The Inner Light” performed by Anoushka Shankar and Karsh Kale, the infectious reggae-pop of “The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill” presented by Raaga Trippin, the psychedelia and instrumentation on “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown),” and much more. The disc is not only inspired by the film but inspiring to the listener.

The album also includes Benji Merrison’s excellent original score, giving a further taste of and transporting the listener to the mysterious, exotic country. The art and culture conveyed within the two-disc package will leave you yearning to plot a trip to the country to experience your own adventures.