Intertextuality

Intertextuality- Harihar

Harihar Rao

Rao

My intertextual reference will be Harihar Rao. Harry Rao was an Indian-born American musician. He was known for playing the tabla and the sitar. Harihar Rao was taught by Ravi Shankar who was a world-famous sitar player who influenced many rock artistes in the 1960’s such as George Harrison. Brian Jones, who was one of the Rolling stones guitarists was taught by Harihar Rao and he helped Brian Jones come up with the opening riff to ‘paint it black’ which is the centre point of the song. During the 1960’s, many of the pop-rock bands took influence from Indian music. George Harrison from The Beatles was taught by Ravi Shankar, who was the most influential Indian musician from the west in the world. Indian music had a big influence over mainstream pop-rock of the 1960’s. Referring to Harihar Rao in my music video would be the best intertextual reference as he taught Brian Jones who later wrote the riff. He is also a good intertextual reference as Indian musicians had a big influence over some of the biggest bands in the 1960’s.

Brian Jones wanted to try something different for paint it black, he didn’t want to just use a regular electric guitar. Instead he decided to use the sitar for the riff as he had had six weeks training with Harihar Rao. Referencing Harihar Rao in my music video will show I have knowledge about the rock genre during the 1960’s and will demonstrate understanding of rock with Indian influences the influence Indian music had over the song.

It is important Harihar is referenced because he had a huge impact on Indian Music in the 60’s. This will also show I have knowledge on the history of the song and how it came together. I will incorporate his name into the music video to reference him as he is iconic to the song and is a testament to the lessons he gave the Rolling Stones guitarist which later led to him creating this song.