NEW ‘ BEATLES IN INDIA ’ EXHIBITION OPENS AT THE BEATLES STORY
W L FEATURE
NEW ‘ BEATLES IN INDIA ’ EXHIBITION OPENS AT THE BEATLES STORY
The award-winning ‘ The Beatles Story ’ in Liverpool unveils a new special exhibition celebrating 50 years since The Beatles travelled to Rishikesh , India .
‘ Beatles in India ’ is a new one-of-a-kind exhibition , exploring this key and relatively secretive episode of the Beatles ’ story with memorabilia , imagery and exclusive personal accounts from the people who were there with the band in 1968 .
A sitar used by Ravi Shankar is on display within the new immersive area , loaned to The Beatles Story by the Ravi Shankar Foundation , he referred to this instrument as ‘ Shyama ’. As George Harrison ’ s mentor , Ravi ’ s influence on the Beatle ultimately helped to popularise the use of Indian instruments in 1960s pop music . Ravi used this particular Rikhi Ram sitar mainly for practice and composition work , it was the twin to ‘ Black Beauty ’ and is taken directly from his personal regular stable of sitars .
The exhibit also includes photography from Paul Saltzman , a sound engineer for the National Film Board of Canada at the time , who photographed The Beatles during their stay . He is responsible for some of the most iconic and intimate images of the Fab Four in India . A collection of Paul ’ s limited edition signed prints are available to view within the exhibition , as well as a life-sized version of his famous image depicting the Beatles with their entourage and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi . Pattie Boyd , former wife to George Harrison , and her sister Jenny Boyd , who were amongst the star-studded list of attendees in India , provide their personal insight into the time through exclusive video interviews . The interviews explore the groups ’ inspiration for the trip , their introduction into Transcendental Meditation , the songs they worked on in advance of the White Album and some of the controversies surrounding their visit .
Speaking about her involvement , Pattie Boyd said : “ I am delighted to have been invited to be a part of The Beatles Story ’ s new ‘ Beatles In India ’ exhibition , marking the 50th anniversary of the trip to Rishikesh . It really was a special , magical time ; forming many memories and , of course , an abundance of great Beatles music . I look forward to sharing thoughts and memories of India as part of the exhibition ”.
Themed areas within the exhibition encompass some of the authentic colours , sounds and smells of Rishikesh so that visitors can really get a sense of what it was like for the Beatles . ‘ The Bungalow ’ set provides insight into the Beatles ’ living quarters , an area used by the attendees for song writing . It features a 2014 signature version of Donovan ’ s Gibson 1965 J-45 acoustic guitar , along with an autographed label and personal letter from the singer-songwriter .
Diane Glover , Marketing Manager at The Beatles Story , visited Rishikesh in April 2017 and went to the Maharishi ’ s Ashram , which is now open as a tourist attraction . She said : “ Visiting Rishikesh , ahead of the 50th anniversary of The Beatles staying there , was wonderful . The remains of the Maharishi ’ s Ashram , overlooking the Holy River Ganges , still stand and it is clearly a place of peace and seclusion .
“ The 1968 visit was an important time of reflection for The Beatles as their manager , Brian Epstein had sadly passed away in the summer of 1967 , and they escaped away from their fans and the media in search of spirituality ”.
‘ Beatles in India ’ will be one of the highlights of 2018 , a year in which Liverpool celebrates its fantastic cultural offering , ten years after the city was awarded ‘ European Capital of Culture ’ status .
February 2018 also recognises what would ’ ve been George Harrison ’ s 75th birthday – the Beatle celebrated his 25th birthday with friends at the Ashram . Celebrations for this will form part of a year-long programme of unique Indian-inspired events , including workshops and Q & A sessions . ‘ Beatles in India ’ opens at The Beatles Story , Liverpool on 15th February 2018 , 50 years to the day that John Lennon , George Harrison and their wives Cynthia Lennon and Pattie Boyd arrived in India . The exhibition will run for two years .
To find out more and to purchase tickets please visit beatlesstory . com .
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