The Beatles and India: An Enduring Love Affair

As traditional classic rock fades off the FM radio radar and oldies are relegated to niche channels on Sirius XM, there are certain groups that somehow avoid artistic extinction.  Whether is by virtue of talent, charisma or cultural timing, bands like The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, and Nirvana (just to name drop a few) never become irrelevant, but simply introduce themselves to a new generation.  And the grandaddy of them all, The Beatles, not only continue to dominate the historical musical landscape, but inspire their fair share of cinematic profiles as well.  

Following on the heels of Peter Jackson’s recent documentary, viewers of The Beatles and India: An Enduring Love Affair (2021) can’t help but feel a little shortchanged what with the previous film’s archival footage, rare demos and firsthand accounts.  But director A Joy Bose’s subject matter is much more focused and streamlined, examining a short span of The Beatles’ history – and trendy obsession with Indian music, meditation and lifestyle – that comes off as the band’s last attempt to stick together before the pressure of success finally tore them apart.

 

Made up of rarely seen footage, photos and interviews, the film isn’t shy about capturing the experience warts and all.  Starting with George Harrison’s genuine adulation of sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar, the Fab Four were convinced that India offered them a chance to escape their crushing fame.  Joined by Mia Farrow, the group agreed to a month-long retreat with famed guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi whose transcendental meditation coincided nicely with the hallucinogenic trends of the day.  The results were hit or miss, with much of the White Album written between sessions, along with unexpected sell-outs and betrayals by those same Indian gurus they came to trust.

 

The Beatles and India features no music from the band’s catalog, but it’s really not much of a loss.  The point of Bose’s film is the influence India had on The Beatles’ themselves, a creative quest to incorporate new sounds and heightened spirituality into the band’s already potent skill set.  And it worked, with The White Album stretching pop music in entirely new directions.  But the ambitious goal of pulling the group together was probably too much to ask.  Bose’s film doesn’t mourn the loss, but instead celebrates the moment.  And MVD’s Blu-ray will be a treat for fans to add to their collection.    

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