MDR and the Beatles

I am sure this title evokes no less than a tinge of curiosity among the music lovers, who are familiar with “MD Ramanathan’s music” (more than Carnatic music on the whole). I happened to hear this linking story from Prince Rama Varma (of Trivandrum royal family,an ardent MDR fan and disciple of M Balamuralikrishna), during the official release of a book on MDR named, “Kedaram”, authored by Sri Krishnamurthy, 20^th May 2006 (83^rd birthday of MDR), at Tripunithara, Kochi, Kerala.

Prince Rama Verma once happened to attend a summit of most renowned poets in English language, at a remote village near Amsterdam, Netherlands. This summit is of a peculiar class since the rules and regulations are set by the poets themselves and it’s not strange if the rules appear to have a disparity with the conventional social code of beliefs and religious doctrine. It is a summit of intellectual discussions. There are no restrictions on drugs, liquor or sex.

One day Prince happened to meet a gentleman. He was the PA of John Lennon, the most vital member of the Beatles, perhaps, the most avant-garde pop band that brought out revolutionary amendments in the concepts of pop music. Soon he fell in acquaintance and Prince, who was in his traditional attire, introduced himself as an Indian Classsical musician. The PA was moved and he started to share his life stories especially the times when he was with the Beatles. That was undoubtedly the golden era in his life. Money, fame, luxury, and everything known in the materialistic world were at his fingertips. There was absolutely nothing on which they could not lay hands upon.

But soon the flamboyant lives lead the whole Beatles into confusion and misery. They started realizing that they were missing something mystical and numinous in their lives. But they couldn’t correctly spot out the factor. In that state of utter dilemma and predicament, they decided to start their search for the ultimate truth. They started with drugs, later dropped it and tried upon meditation. George Harrison, came to India to learn Sitar from Pt Ravishankar.

After the death of John Lennon, the PA went to Himalayas and sat in meditation for 2 years. Later he started hearing Indian classical Music, tried yoga, traveled throughout India, as finance was never a constraint for him. Finally he reached down south at Mysore. One day as per the info from a daily he went to attend a concert and the concert was by none else than MDR. The moment he heard the voice of MDR, turned out to be the gateway for the satisfaction he had been searching for, throughout his desperate times. Yes, that was the truth his mind was madly probing for. That was the serenity his life was yearning to attain. And that was the end of all his agonies and quandary in life.

Yes this sounds ironical. MDR and the PA!! They were at the two extremes of practical life. The PA, who had had literally all the luxuries and achievements in life, was moved by the depth of the voice of a simple human being in another part of the world, who had lead the most orthodox and traditional musical life. The PA had no idea, what Sahana was, what Kedaram was, what Yadukulakamboji was, what Sriraagam was…He was not aware of the intricacies or the inherent ‘bhava’ of the music. What moved him may seldom be susceptible to a verbal description. But at least this can be stated without uncertainty, that it was the universality of Indian classical music in general and MDR’s music in particular that greatly moved and brought the peace in the consciousness of the PA.

After sharing the experience with the Prince, both of them broke into tears and embraced each other.

So this is what connects MDR with the Beatles.

To talk about MDR’s music is an herculian task, as far as one whole life time is concerned. He himself had defined Indian Music as Morality, Universality, Spirituality, Individuality, Creativity…

How true!!

PS: Comrades who are new to MDR’s music can read more about his immortal music at www.mdramanathan.com