Shankar Hated Life As A Pop Star

Shankar shot to global stardom after the Fab Four cited him as an inspiration and he became close friends with George Harrison.

He went on to win a clutch of Grammy Awards and perform at the legendary Woodstock music festival in New York in 1969.

But the 89 year old always hated the world of rock 'n roll and blames his connection with the Beatles for thrusting him into the spotlight.

He says, "All four came. All of them were very sweet but George was so special. He met me a few times and then I started teaching him. And that news spread all over. That did help me. When people say that George Harrison made me famous, that is true in a way.

"Then I became a pop star all of a sudden. All young people, bearded, long hair, wearing beads and not normal. And I was not happy at all. I would tell George, 'What have you done?'"

And Shankar was particularly offended by the other musicians and the crowd at Woodstock, singling out British rockers The Who for particular criticism.

He adds, "I saw them kicking the instruments, burning the guitars and doing obscene things. It was all drugs and nobody normal there - the audience or the people on stage. I said I was cancelling my program.

"It was raining, there was mud all over. And who was listening to music? They (the crowd) were all stoned and they were enjoying it. What I was not happy about was that they gave me all the adoration and I was like a pop star. They all would sit down and say, 'Tell us guru'. And I said, 'I am not your guru.'"