The music on the first disc focuses on songs that were written during the band’s time in India, and also songs that were influenced by that culture. It opens with a wonderful rendition of “Tomorrow Never Knows,” one of the band’s more psychedelic tunes (one the Grateful Dead covered in later years), but interestingly one that was written and recorded before the band’s trip to India. Still, the influence can be heard in its sound. This rendition is by Kiss Nuka, who is from Mumbai, India. It begins fairly faithfully, then takes on something of a heavy dance beat, which is interesting because the song’s original beat is a prominent and memorable element of the Beatles’ recording, and one of the things that really excited me about this song. This rendition also has a dreamy aspect to it, which works well. It is followed by a really good version of “Mother Nature’s Son” by Karsh Kale and Benny Dayal, with an intriguing and powerful introduction, and featuring some fantastic vocal work. This is a song that was written in India and would end up on the White Album.
John Lennon’s “Gimme Some Truth” is a song that was released on a solo album rather than a Beatles record (though The Beatles did rehearse it). John indicated that he started writing it in India; thus, its inclusion here. This version, by Soulmate, is in some ways quite a departure from the original version, with that prominent percussion. It doesn’t sound quite as angry as John Lennon’s version, yet this rendition is phenomenal. It kind of overwhelms you with its passion and its overall sound. It is followed by one of my favorite Beatles songs, “Across The Universe,” written by John Lennon and included on Let It Be. This rendition by Tejas and Mali is beautiful, especially that opening section, and includes some wild work by Shravan Sridhar on violin. Then Rohan Rajadhyaksha and Warren Mendonsa’s version of “Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey” has much more of a straight rock sound. This is another song from the White Album, one that was written in India. This is a fun rendition. “Come on, it’s such a joy,” indeed! And check out the wild conclusion.
We then return to pretty territory with a soothing rendition of “I Will,” also from the White Album, this version by Shibani Dandekar and Neil Mukherjee. On the White Album, “I Will” is followed by “Julia,” and so it is here, performed by Dhruv Ghanekar. Interestingly, halfway through, it takes on a techno beat, and oddly, it works. I would never have thought to approach this song that way, but it becomes a rather joyous track. That’s followed by “Child Of Nature,” an exciting choice. While this song was inspired by John Lennon’s time with the Maharishi, the Beatles didn’t release it, and John Lennon later reworked the music into “Jealous Guy,” which was included on Imagine. I haven’t yet seen Get Back (when will it be released on DVD?), but apparently there is footage of the band playing this song. The version here by Anupam Roy features some nice work on flute by Sushanta Nandi. This is certainly a highlight of this collection.
“The Inner Light” is a song that has an obvious and strong Indian influence. Written by George Harrison, it was released as the flip side to “Lady Madonna” in 1968. I love this rendition by Anoushkar Shankar and Karsha Kale, especially the extended instrumental section at the beginning. Anoushka Shankar (daughter of Ravi Shankar) delivers some excellent work on sitar. The vocal work is also beautiful. That’s followed by “The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill.” This song from the White Album was apparently inspired by an actual event when the Beatles were at the Maharishi’s ashram. Listening to this version by Raaga Trippin, I actually miss Yoko Ono’s voice, which always stood out to me. But this recording is delightfully pleasant, which works in wonderful contrast to the story being told. It is totally catchy. Then Karsh Kale and Farhan Ahktar give us an odd version of “Back In The USSR” with an electronic beat. “I’m So Tired,” also from the White Album, is a song that gets in my head a lot, especially when I have to get up at some ridiculous hour for work. Lisa Mishra and Warren Mendonsa deliver an excellent rendition here. It’s fairly faithful to the original, but with some good work on flute.
“Sexy Sadie” is well-known as having been originally titled “Maharishi,” and is about the sort of disillusionment the band had with the spiritual leader. “You made a fool of everyone.” This song would also end up on the White Album. While the version here by Siddharth Basrur and Neil Mukherjee might not have the same bite as the original, it’s a good rendition. That’s followed by Nikhil D’Souza’s sweet rendition of “Martha My Dear,” and then Parekh & Singh’s version of “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown).” “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” was written and recorded a few years before the band traveled to India, yet shows an obvious influence, with George Harrison playing sitar on the original recording. Parekh & Singh deliver a wonderful rendition here. Then we get “Revolution,” which as “Revolution 1” was included on the White Album. Without the number attached, this song was released as the flip side to the “Hey Jude” single, and it’s that version that seems to be the inspiration for Vishal Dadlani and Warren Mendonsa’s rendition here, which definitely rocks.
“Love You To,” written by George Harrison, is another song that was recorded and released before the band’s trip to India, but has a clear Indian influence. I’m digging this rendition by Dhruv Ghanekar, which of course features some prominent work on sitar. This version gets exciting at moments. That’s followed by “Dear Prudence,” another song written in India. This is an interesting rendition by Karsh Kale and Monica Dogra, unusual in its electronic beat, but with some beautiful vocal work. The first disc concludes with an interesting track, “India, India,” which was written by John Lennon, but not released until 2010, when it was included in the boxed set John Lennon Signature Box. The song was inspired by the band’s time in India. Nikhil D’Souza delivers a sweet rendition. “I’ve got to follow my heart wherever it takes me.”
The second disc contains the original score for The Beatles And India, which was composed by Benji Merrison, and recorded in London, Pune and Budapest. I haven’t seen the film yet, so I don’t know how each track fits into the story, though the track titles provide some clues. The opening track, “Main Titles,” features a strong theme, particularly in its second half. Much of the music on this disc is beautiful. Much of it will transport you, particularly pieces like “Crazy Trailblazer” and “Selling Like Hotcakes,” the latter of which is also soothing. “A Few Lessons” is also beautiful and moving, as is the track that follows it, “Something Very Grateful.” I love the strings on “Something Very Grateful.” “Jai Guru Dev” is another gorgeous piece that will take you on a journey. It’s followed by “A Simple Existence,” a piece that is incredibly soothing, and also uplifting.
One of my personal favorites is “The Prayer Room,” which grabs us at its start. Its first section has a darker, more somber sound, taking us into unfamiliar territory. Then nearly a minute in, it takes on a different tone, like it has reached some beautiful plateau. “Feeling And Heart” is another uplifting, absolutely wonderful piece, one of the disc’s highlights. I also love the joy of “Birthday Party.” “Secrets Revealed” is pretty, even enchanting at times, as is “Down To Kerala,” which follows it. “Small Gift To The World” begins in a magical place, like on a mountain at dawn, when the mists soon are pierced by sunlight, and everything seems to be revealed.
CD Track List
Disc One
- Tomorrow Never Knows – Kiss Nuka
- Mother Nature’s Son – Karsh Kale/Benny Dayal
- Gimme Some Truth – Soulmate
- Across The Universe – Tejas/Mali
- Everybody’s Got Something To Hide (Except Me And My Monkey) – Rohan Rajadhyaksha/Warren Mendonsa
- I Will – Shibani Dandekar/Neil Mukherjee
- Julia – Dhruv Ghanekar
- Child Of Nature – Anupam Roy
- The Inner Light – Anoushka Shankar/Karsh Kale
- The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill – Raaga Trippin
- Back In The USSR – Karsh Kale/Farhan Ahktar
- I’m So Tired – Lisa Mishra/Warren Mendonsa
- Sexy Sadie – Siddharth Basrur/Neil Mukherjee
- Martha My Dear – Nikhil D’Souza
- Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) – Parekh & Singh
- Revolution – Vishal Dadlani/Warren Mendonsa
- Love You To – Dhruv Ghanekar
- Dear Prudence – Karsh Kale/Monica Dogra
- India, India – Nikhil D’Souza
Disc Two
- Main Titles
- Diminutive Yogi
- Crazy Trailblazer
- Selling Like Hotcakes
- A Few Lessons
- Something Very Grateful
- Rishikesh Bridge
- Jai Guru Dev
- A Simple Existence
- Old Ashram
- The Prayer Room
- 50 Years Ago
- Feeling And Heart
- All Of India
- Birthday Party
- Spiritual Teacher
- A Dealbreaker
- Secrets Revealed
- Down To Kerala
- Small Gift To the World
- End Credits
Songs Inspired By The Film The Beatles And India was released on October 29, 2021 on Silva Screen Records.
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