Historical cheque from 1971 evokes memories

While freedom fighters were fighting for a sovereign Bangladesh, 10 million Bangalees were living a life unfit for human beings as refugees at the border of India. Their plight compelled Pandit Ravi Shankar, the world renown musician and sitar master to initiate an effort to help them.

He poured his heart out to friend and former Beatle George Harrison and through tireless effort held a benefit concert called ‘The Concert for Bangladesh’ on Aug 1, 1971 at New York City's Madison Square Garden.

The money raised from that benefit concert was sent to The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) through a cheque. A photograph of that cheque has been published on the last page of a photo album on ‘The Concert for Bangladesh.’

The $243,418.50 cheque was made out to 'the refugee children from Bangladesh’.

Capital Records also handed another cheque to Apple Records with $3.75 million raised from an advance sale of live album of The Concert for Bangladesh. Later, more money was raised by selling the album.

A significant portion of the revenue from the concert has remained with the US government because the concert was not pre-registered as a benefit and was not granted tax exemption status.

At least $2 million reached the Bangalee refugees in 1972 through UNICEF and another $1.2 million was sent to Bangladesh, reported Los Angeles Times.

George Harrison said in 1990 the issue has been solved and all rights to the concert were reserved to UNICEF.

Another $40 million was earned by selling the DVDs and CDs of The Concert for Bangladesh which was used to create the ‘George Harrison Fund for UNICEF.’

Prof Imran Rahman, dean of the School of Business at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh or ULAB, recently posted a photograph of the cheque (of money raised from the concert) on Facebook.

“Many Bangladeshis nurture a misconception the money raised in the concert for Bangladesh has never been spent correctly, and it never reached to the people of Bangladesh. This cheque proved the money was sent to Bangladesh,” Prof Rahman told bdnews24.com.

The concert by the famous artists was held in the US despite the US government's support of Pakistan. The concert made a significant contribution to develop public support for Bangladesh on the international stage.

Although the idea of a benefit concert was not an alien thing, many people consider the Concert for Bangladesh as the first rock music benefit show in the world, said Time Magazine in an article.

Holding benefit concerts to raise money for helping people in need became a regular phenomenon since.

George Harrison spent the entire month of June and half of July in 1971 attempting to contact different artists and convincing them to perform at the concert.

Famous US singer-songwriter and now Nobel Prize Laureate Bob Dylan agreed to take part in the concert. He was joined by Harrison's former Beatles bandmate Ringo Star, American musicians Billy Preston and Leon Russell, and famous guitarist Eric Clapton.

British rock band Badfinger, German musician Klaus Voormann, American drummer Jim Keltner, ‘Hollywood Horns' led by Jim Horn, guitarist Jesse Ed Davis, Carl Radle and many other artists also took part in the concert for Bangladesh.

Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Ustad Allah Rakha performed along with Pandit Ravi Shankar in the first part of the concert, which showcased Indian music.

The final song of the concert was the song ‘Bangla Desh’ by George Harrison. The lyrics of that song vividly described his conversation with Pandit Ravi Shankar. He sang in front of an audience of 40,000 people:

“My friend came to me, with sadness in his eyes;

Told me that he wanted help, before his country dies.

Although I couldn’t feel the pain, I knew I had to try;

Now I am asking all of you, help us save some lives.

Bangladesh Bangladesh….”

It was that historic song, sung by George Harrison, that introduced Bangladesh to many people around the world.