Ravi Shankar Visited by Ex-Beatle While Being Treated at UCSD

A local doctor’s celebrated reputation brought two world-renowned musicians to San Diego last week when sitarist Ravi Shankar sought treatment here for a heart ailment--and received a special visit from longtime friend and ex-Beatle George Harrison.

Shankar’s arrival early Wednesday to receive treatment for two blocked coronary arteries--as well as Harrison’s sudden appearance several hours later--transformed some doctors, nurses and patients at the UC San Diego Medical Center into rabid autograph seekers. Shankar was released Saturday.

“It was a little embarrassing for us, really,” said Dr. Maurice Buchbinder, an authority in interventional cardiology who treated Shankar. “We’re supposed to have decorum in the hospital, a little more training than to do something like that.”

Shankar, who in 1986 had quadrupal-bypass heart surgery in New York City, was reportedly at his home in London on Wednesday when he began experiencing chest pains. He sought medical treatment there and was referred to Dr. Buchbinder, world-known in his field, which involves non-surgical repair of the heart.

For decades, the diminutive Shankar has long been a household name in his native India for the transcendental lilt of his sitar, an ancient stringed instrument that produces a buzzing, droning sound. But his career took on worldwide dimensions of cult superstar when Harrison became his student in 1966.

The pair met at a party in London a short time earlier and Harrison told Shankar he had always wanted to play the sitar. The young Liverpool native was invited to India.

Shankar’s influence later showed on the Beatles’ landmark album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and Harrison quickly moved from the role of musical disciple to that of close friend. In music clubs around the globe, Shankar soon became as recognizable as Mick Jagger and his Concert for Bangladesh in 1971 raised millions for residents of the impoverished nation.

On Wednesday, the 71-year-old former pop icon underwent a three-hour procedure known as a cardiac catheterization and angioplasty to remove two new blockages to his arteries. The method involves the insertion of a catheter into the heart, through which a tiny balloon is guided and eventually inflated to clear the blockage.

Shankar will stay with friends in the San Diego area until he receives word within the next week to 10 days that he is well enough to return to London, Buchbinder said.

“He’s doing very well,” the physician said of Shankar, whom he described as a “soft-spoken, worldly man. Considering what he’s been through, he feels great.”

Harrison arrived in San Diego late Wednesday and visited twice with Shankar, including an afternoon-long visit on Thursday. Hospital officials said Harrison cut short a Hawaiian vacation to rush to Southern California and see Shankar and his wife, Sukanya.

“They seem to have a longstanding relationship,” Buchbinder said of the two musicians. “It’s more like father and son than just friends. They reminisced about old times. They’re both pretty serious guys. And low-key, considering the amazing success of their careers. I just left them alone.”

Officials said both Shankar and Harrison were planning a European tour later this year and Buchbinder said the recent operation should not preclude Shankar from that commitment.

While he was tempted, the 39-year-old Buchbinder said he didn’t give into his impulses to ask for autographs.

“I was a big fan of the Beatles growing up,” he said. “But I tried to be professional. I didn’t ask for any autographs.”