Concert for Bangladesh

L-R: George Harrison and Bob Dylan performing at the concert

Dhaka Film Society arranged a screening of the concert on the occasion of the Victory Day at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture Wednesday last.

Concert for Bangladesh was held on August 1, 1971, playing in front of a total of 40,000 people at the Madison Square Garden in New York. The concert was the greatest example of noble endeavour of musicians without any political motivation or intention at that time.

When political turmoil caused East Pakistan to break away from West Pakistan to become a separate state for the Bangalees, a large number of people had to flee to the neighbouring country for shelter. The problem was compounded by torrential rains causing devastating floods and threatening a humanitarian disaster.

Indian sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, who was born in Bangladesh, was distressed by the situation and consulted his friend George Harrison, a member of the legendary band The Beatles, regarding means of providing help. Harrison recorded the single Bangladesh to help raise awareness and also had Apple Records release Shankar's single Joy Bangla in a dual-pronged effort to raise funds.

Shankar also asked Harrison's advice regarding a small fund-raising concert in the United States. Instead, Harrison took over and persuaded his other friends to join him at a large concert at Madison Square Garden. The event was organised within 5 weeks.

Harrison asked his fellow Beatles to appear. Ringo Starr readily agreed to appear but others couldn't on personal grounds.

Shankar opened the concert with a 25-minute recital of Indian music titled Bangla Dhun where he was accompanied by master of sarod Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, tabla maestro Ustad Allahrakha and K Chakravarty. Before starting Ravi Shankar conveyed the message to the audience about the cause of the concert and to make them empathise with the war-stricken Bangladeshis.

Clad in an angelic white suit with a guitar in his hand, George Harrison appeared on stage amidst huge applause. He performed Wah-Wah, My Sweet Lord, Awaiting On You All and Something. He ended his session with his special song Bangladesh dedicated to the people of the soon-to-be-born country. In this song Harrison portrayed the distress of Bangladeshi people and appealed for help.

Musical help was also on hand from Eric Clapton who performed While My Guitar Gently Weeps. Billy Preston, Leon Russell, Klaus Voormann and Badfinger were also there on stage to perform along with Jim Horn, Carl Radle, Jesse Ed Davis, Don Preston and a host of backing singers organised by Don Nix.

Bob Dylan performed his all time hit songs including A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall, It Takes A Lot To Laugh / It Takes A Train To Cry, Blowin' In The Wind, Mr. Tambourine Man and Just Like A Woman.

It was a unique experience for anyone to watch the recorded version of the concert. Although none from the audience had been present at the real event for sure, and most of them had not seen it before, the impact of the event on the whole world can be perceived in the emotion and enthusiasm it created among the audience.

The people of Bangladesh will never forget the contribution of these great personalities while celebrating the country's Victory Day.