Beatles Disappear on New Delhi Streets (1966)

 

Photo taken by Ringo Starr

Beatles Disappear on New Delhi Street

Associated Press

July 7, 1966

    The Beatles fit cozily in this land, where yogis try to walk on water, Astrologers control the lives of important officials, and where unusual attire is the usual. The usual Beatles' pandemonium was at the airport when they arrived, but this barely scratched the surface in India's sea of humanity. 

    The Beatles found during their two-day stay that once they eluded their relatively small band of fans, they could stroll about the capital's downtown streets with hardly a turned head. The Beatles slept until noon today and breakfasted in their hotel suite. A young Indian girl, Chitra Ramaswamy, who knew a hotel security officer, reached the Beatles' door and said later she was invited in while the foursome ate breakfast and shaved. 

    "Ringo had porridge, but said it was stone cold," The excited girl proclaimed to an envious crowd in the lobby. "Two of them were shaving, but I got all four autographs," she sighed as she held up a pad with the signatures. 

    The Beatles' stay in India seemed to make up for the rough time they had earlier this week in Manila, which apparently resulted from a misunderstanding of a performance for Imelda Marcos, wife of the Philippine president. 

    The Beatles' manager said today he and the mop-headed musicians were treated like animals in Manila's airport earlier this week. A statement issued by Brian Epstein, now in New Delhi, through the Beatles' London office said, "Some of the reports from Manila are utterly incorrect and false. The truth is, the Beatles, our road manager, and myself were treated like animals, kicked, punched, shoved, and humiliated by strong-armed men who were there specifically for our departure.

     "No invitation was received from the President's wife. The whole trouble was started by the promoters, and I shall consult my lawyer when I return to London."