The Beatles and India (2021)

[Drunk Monk]

A pleasant doc that digs deep into George’s connection form early influences and then under Ravi Shankar. The last half is devoted to Maharishi. It talks to many of the Indian eyewitnesses although mostly their kids (now adults) and there’s some wonderful anecdotes. There’s some good reveals about the roots of many songs - I’m astonished that I didn’t know Mia Farrow’s sister was Prudence. 

The Shankar segment shows a clip from Monterey Pop and I instantly recognized the auditorium because of so many years at Cali Roots, plus there’s a quick shot of Jerry.

Rishikesh brought back lots of memories. We’ve walked across Lakshman Juhla and many of the ashrams were familiar. They did a good job juxtaposing image of the Beatles at the ashram with how it looks today - abandoned and in ruins. I didn’t make it there because of the monkees. 

It got a little long winded at the end interviewing some younger Indian musicians about how the Beatles influenced them (didn’t know them so didn’t care). I was surprised to learn Douglas’ Everybody was Mung Fu fighting was produced by an Indian in this.

Recommended for any D00Mers that enjoyed Get Back. 

Seen on BritBox

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Where's your Spell-Check Bitch?

[Greg]

I thought everyone was Mung Fu Fighting?

[thatguy]

Because of The Monkees or because of the monkeys?

I went to a covid drive in movie presentation of National Treasure in that Monterey Fairgrounds amphitheater and also instantly recognized it. It's so small!

--tg

[Drunk Monk]

Mung: The M is for 'marriage' as in silly songs DJs play at weddings to introduce the coolest groomsman.

Monkees: Yeah, it was monkeys but I intentionally cited the band because I thought it was funny at the time. I should avoid posting as I'm drifting off to the land of nod but I just can't help myself. 

The Maharishi's ashram is off the beaten path, on the outskirts of Rishikesh. Following an ashram map, I went down a forested trail to find it but was confronted by a few dozen monkeys. They were all looking at me - straight at me as monkeys do - piercing eye contact. I was alone and decided it wasn't worth the risk. I have had a lot of negative experiences with wild monkeys, many in Rishikesh.

[thatguy]

They're just tryin' to be friendly...

--tg

[Drunk Monk]

Don't get me wrong. I cherish and respect wild animals. 

But monkeys are smart. Like real smart. If I got mauled by a bear or eaten by a jaguar, I wouldn't take it personally. It's just a big predator reminding me where I really stand on the food chain. Monkeys make it personal. They mess with you, they win because they're monkeys (super agile), and then they rub it in. They stare at you - make direct eye contact - to tell you they won. They fling poo. That's like the king of personal insults. 

So I never made it to the Maharishi's ashram. I think it was already abandoned by then. Now, according to this new doc, they lead tours there. I'm content to know that the Beatles walked the Lakshman jhula. I remember walking that myself, and I'm sure we shared the same wonder and reverence.

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Hey wth spelchuk? Why don't you change Lakshman jhula into something like lox meat juice? 

spelchuk is as bad as those ducking monkees.

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Oh duck you spelchuk. 

It's never ducking.