Ravi Shankar Had to Keep His Mouth Shut About How Terrible He Thought The Beatles’ ‘Norwegian Wood’ Sounded

Key Facts

• Ravi Shankar privately thought The Beatles' 'Norwegian Wood' sounded terrible but kept silent because he had just begun teaching George Harrison the sitar.
• Harrison first encountered Indian music in utero through his mother's radio, but it was the 1965 film 'Help!' that sparked his obsession.
• Shankar and Harrison met in 1966 and formed an immediate bond; Harrison studied sitar properly under Shankar's tutelage.
• 'Norwegian Wood' was the first Beatles song to feature the sitar, though played incorrectly by Harrison's early learning.
• Shankar's influence deeply impacted Harrison's guitar playing and spiritual outlook, leading to a lifelong friendship.

Legendary sitarist Ravi Shankar and The Beatles had a meaningful relationship that changed the landscape of popular music. Shankar's introduction of Indian classical music to Western audiences came largely through his association with the band, but he harbored private reservations about their early attempts. One song in particular, 'Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)' from the 1965 album Rubber Soul, left Shankar unimpressed. He admitted to Rolling Stone, 'To tell you the truth, I had to keep my mouth shut. It was introduced to me by my nieces and nephews, who were just gaga over it. I couldn't believe it, because to me, it sounded so terrible.' This statement is remarkable given Shankar's later role as a mentor to George Harrison.

The story of how Shankar and Harrison connected begins before they ever met. Harrison first heard Indian music while still in the womb; his mother regularly played Radio India during her pregnancy. However, the sound of sitars fully captured his attention in 1965 during the filming of Help! in an Indian restaurant. The exotic melodies lingered in his mind, prompting him to purchase a sitar and experiment with it on 'Norwegian Wood.' Though the song became a landmark for incorporating non-Western instrumentation into Western pop, it was a naive and technically flawed performance from Shankar's perspective. The sitar is an incredibly difficult instrument that requires years of practice just to hold correctly, let alone play with the nuance of Indian classical music.

After hearing about Shankar repeatedly, Harrison finally bought one of his records. He later told Billboard, 'I put it on and it hit a certain spot in me that I can't explain, but it seemed very familiar to me. The only way I could describe it was: my intellect didn't know what was going on and yet this other part of me identified with it.' This sense of familiarity was deeply spiritual for Harrison, who felt he knew Shankar from a past life—a concept central to Hindu philosophy. In 1966, the two met at a friend's house. Shankar recalled in Rolling Stone, 'I had heard of the Beatles, but I didn't know how popular they were. I met all four, but with George, I clicked immediately. He said he wanted to learn [sitar] properly.'

Shankar was initially hesitant. He explained that the sitar is not like a guitar; it demands rigorous discipline. 'Sitar takes at least one year to [learn to] sit properly because the instrument is so difficult to hold. Then you cut your fingers to this extent,' he said, showing calloused tips. Despite this, Harrison's sincerity convinced Shankar to take him on as a student. The lessons began in earnest, and Harrison's playing improved dramatically. Soon, the sitar appeared in more Beatles songs such as 'Within You Without You' and 'Love You To,' which showcased a more authentic Indian classical style. Shankar's teachings also influenced Harrison's slide guitar technique, making it more elastic and precise, as noted by Guitar World in 1992.

Beyond music, Shankar introduced Harrison to Indian spirituality. Harrison became a devout Hindu, studying meditation, yoga, and the Bhagavad Gita. He organized the Concert for Bangladesh in 1971, which brought attention to the plight of refugees and fused Eastern and Western musicians. Shankar co-organized and performed at that concert, cementing their partnership. Their friendship endured for decades. Shankar told Rolling Stone, '[Harrison] gives me tremendous respect. He's very Indian that way. We are such good friends, and at the same time, he is like my son, so it's a beautiful, mixed feeling.' Through their bond, Shankar left an indelible mark on The Beatles' music and on Harrison's life.

Interestingly, Shankar's initial dislike of 'Norwegian Wood' did not prevent him from recognizing its cultural significance. The song opened a gateway for millions of Western listeners to explore Indian classical music. Even as he taught Harrison the correct techniques, Shankar appreciated the humility of a global superstar willing to start from scratch. He said, 'Considering that he was so famous—part of the most popular group in the world ever!—he was nevertheless quite humble, with a childlike quality that he has retained to this day.' This humility allowed Harrison to absorb Shankar's lessons and integrate them into his own artistry.

The ripple effects of their collaboration extended beyond The Beatles. Artists like The Rolling Stones, The Byrds, and Led Zeppelin soon incorporated sitar into their music. The sitar became a symbol of the 1960s counterculture, and Shankar found himself performing at iconic events such as Woodstock and Monterey Pop. His fame grew, but he always remained rooted in classical tradition. He trained many students, including his daughter Anoushka Shankar, who carries on his legacy. Meanwhile, Harrison continued to explore Indian music in his solo career, with albums like All Things Must Pass and Living in the Material World reflecting Eastern influences.

In the end, what could have been a moment of criticism turned into a profound mentorship. Shankar chose to keep his mouth shut about 'Norwegian Wood' not out of politeness but out of a desire to nurture a genuine interest. That decision changed the course of popular music and gave the world a new way of hearing. The story of Ravi Shankar and George Harrison remains a testament to cross-cultural exchange, humility, and the transformative power of music.

Source:Showbiz Cheat Sheet News