George Harrison: The unsung hero of Bangladesh's Liberation War

Some foreign names are uttered with deep gratitude in the history of Bangladesh's Liberation War—among them, George Harrison stands out. This guitarist of the world-famous band The Beatles was not merely a musician; he was a courageous voice for humanity. Born on February 25, 1943, in Liverpool, UK, the initiative he took during Bangladesh's hour of need in 1971 is not only unique in music history but also permanent and radiant in the hearts of Bengalis.

For the people of Bangladesh, respect for George Harrison occupies a different height compared to other foreign artists. Because he did not merely express sympathy for the Bengali struggle for independence from a distant land—he took necessary and practical steps. News of the brutal killings by Pakistani forces, the flood of refugees and the humanitarian catastrophe deeply moved him. When world-renowned sitarist Pandit Ravi Shankar planned a fundraiser for Bangladesh, Harrison decided to take it to the global stage. This decision gave birth to the historic 'Concert for Bangladesh'—which subsequently changed the course of charity music events worldwide.

Concert for Bangladesh: A historic platform for humanity
The 'Concert for Bangladesh' held at New York's Madison Square Garden on August 1, 1971, was one of the world's first major charity music events. The initial goal was to raise only $25,000; but due to George Harrison's initiative, it multiplied several times over. Two live shows were held, and ticket sales alone generated approximately $250,000.

Top stars of that era participated in this concert. Legendary Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton and many others were involved. Bringing such high-profile artists together on one stage was not easy; but Harrison's personal connections and heartfelt appeals made it possible.



Behind-the-scenes story of preparation
In his autobiography I Me Mine, George Harrison wrote that he wrote songs not from the desire to be a lyricist, but from the urge of his heart. After receiving news clippings about Bangladesh's war and famine from Ravi Shankar, the matter deeply troubled him. He then decided—"I must certainly do something to help him."

For the next three months, he tirelessly contacted stars by telephone, persuaded artists and assembled a massive event in a short time. Despite insufficient rehearsals and technical limitations, the event succeeded. In Harrison's words, it was "a huge responsibility" that ultimately turned the world's attention towards Bangladesh.

The song 'Bangladesh': The language of protest in music
Harrison's song 'Bangladesh', performed at the concert, played a major role in creating global sympathy for the Liberation War. It was an unprecedented protest born from the pain of that time. Many freedom fighters and expatriate Bengalis drew inspiration from this song.


Later, substantial funds were raised through the release of the concert's live album. Despite various tax complications, approximately $12 million was ultimately used to aid Bangladeshi refugees—a massive sum for that time.

The legacy beyond music
‘The Concert for Bangladesh’ was not merely a successful event; it is widely regarded as a turning point in the history of global music and humanitarian action. The initiative demonstrated that popular musicians could make a tangible impact during international humanitarian crises. George Harrison’s effort established a new benchmark for artists’ social responsibility, showing that the stage is not only a space for entertainment but also a powerful platform for standing up for humanity. In the years that followed, major global charity concerts such as Live Aid, Farm Aid, and Live 8 drew direct or indirect inspiration from this model. It can be said that ‘The Concert for Bangladesh’ was not just a response to a moment in time; it created a lasting tradition in which music became a unifying voice for global humanity.

A special aspect of Harrison's personality was that he never pushed his own fame forward. His egoless perspective is evident in songs like 'Within You Without You'. Humanitarian sensibility was the driving force of his artistic identity.

George Harrison left the world on November 29, 2001. But his place in the hearts of the people of Bangladesh remains unfaded. Sadly, he was never formally invited to Bangladesh during his lifetime—which remains, and will remain, a kind of unfulfillment for us.

In the history of Bangladesh's Liberation War, he is no political leader, nor any military hero—yet by standing on the side of humanity, he became a dear one to Bengalis. How an artist from a distant land raised his voice during our time of sorrow is something we, as a grateful nation, should always remember. On his birthday, therefore, profound respect and gratitude to this great artist.