Complementing the documentary release detailing The Beatles and their culturally groundbreaking time in India, Songs Inspired By The Film The Beatles And India is available now.
The album features Beatles’ songs written during their stay in Rishikesh, India — including “Mother Nature’s Son,” “Revolution,” “Sexy Sadie,” “Dear Prudence,” “Child of Nature” — as well as songs from their incredible catalogue coloured by their earlier leanings to the magical sounds of India. The two-disc set also includes an all-original score written by award-winning composer Benji Merrison.
Featuring a diverse cast of Indian artists showcasing their own musical styles — including Vishal Dadlani, Kiss Nuka, Benny Dayal, Dhruv Ghanekar, Karsh Kale, Nikhil D’Souza, Anoushka Shankar, Farhan Ahktar, Soulmate, and many others — Songs Inspired By The Film The Beatles And India also brings contemporary and classical Indian influences and techniques to the record.
The hypnotic, lyrical soundtrack for The Beatles and India was written by award-winning composer Benji Merrison and recorded at Abbey Road Studio 2, the legendary home of The Beatles recording sessions, Budapest, Hungary and Pune, India. Both a classically trained composer and a skilled music producer and engineer, Benji has scored music for projects across film, television, installations and events. His distinctive musical voice is in high demand and he is known for SAS: Red Notice, Forces of Nature with Brian Cox, Dynasties, General Magic.
The award-winning film The Beatles And India is a unique historical chronicle of the enduring love affair between The Beatles and India that started more than half a century ago. Rare archival footage, recordings and photographs, eye-witness accounts and expert comments along with location shoots across India bring alive the fascinating journey of George, John, Paul and Ringo from their high octane celebrity lives in the West to a remote Himalayan ashram in search of spiritual bliss that inspires an unprecedented burst of creative songwriting. It is the first serious exploration of how India shaped the development of the greatest ever rock band and their own pioneering role bridging two vastly different cultures. The Beatles And India was directed by Ajoy Bose and co-directed by Peter Compton. The film was produced by Reynold D’Silva (Renoir Pictures / Silva Screen Productions) with executive producers Adam Greenup and Keith Ferreira. The documentary won Best Film Audience Choice and Best Music at the 2021 UK Asian Film Festival.
// Disc One – Songs Inspired By The Film
Tomorrow Never Knows – Performed by Kiss Nuka
Mother Nature’s So – Performed by Karsh Kale / Benny Dayal
Gimme Some Truth – Performed by Soulmate
Across The Universe – Performed by Tejas / Mali
Everybody’s Got Something To Hide (Except Me And My Monkey) – Performed by Rohan Rajadhyaksha / Warren Mendonsa
I Will – Performed by Shibani Dandekar / Neil Mukherjee
Julia – Performed by Dhruv Ghanekar
Child of Nature – Performed by Anupam Roy
The Inner Light – Performed by Anoushka Shankar / Karsh Kale
The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill – Performed by Raaga Trippin
Back In The USSR – Performed by Karsh Kale / Farhan Ahktar
I’m So Tired – Performed by Lisa Mishra / Warren Mendonsa
Sexy Sadie – Performed by Siddharth Basrur / Neil Mukherjee
Martha My Dear – Performed by Nikhil D’Souza
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) – Performed by Parekh & Singh
Revolution – Performed by Vishal Dadlani / Warren Mendonsa
Love You To – Performed by Dhruv Ghanekar
Dear Prudence – Performed by Karsh Kale / Monica Dogra
India, India – Performed by Nikhil D’Souza
