Music is integral to my story, says Apurva Kasaravalli

Film will see debut of member of Mudgal family of musicians

A still from ‘Niruttara’. The cast comprises Rahul Bose, Kiran Srinivas, Bhavana and Aindrita Ray.

A member of the distinguished Mudgal family of musicians has stepped into Kannada cinema, increasing curiosity about its story, direction and of course, music.

Young musician Sawani Mudgal from New Delhi has sung for ‘Niruttara’, a film by Apurva Kasaravalli, son of renowned filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli. The cast comprises Rahul Bose, Kiran Srinivas, Bhavana and Aindrita Ray while Oscar winner Resul Pookutty is working on the sound design.

‘Niruttara’ is based on sensitive relationships and music is integral to the story with some of the characters being musicians.

Mr. Apurva says, “I wanted sitar maestro Neeladri Kumar to do the music for my film as I am in awe of his sensibilities towards every genre of music. Befitting the storyline, which has the lead four intersecting from different walks of life with different genres of music coming by, Neeladri Kumar has perceptively used his sitar that he has re-worked to sound like an electric guitar with pick-up. I wanted a completely different sense of music to be the signature of this film with rock, pop, fusion, classical and filmi elements churned out in a delectable combo, both in tracks and background. Neeladri has done exactly this and much more.”

Extensive research on Indian folk and different instruments helped the sitar maestro introduce amongst other instruments, a Persian stringed instrument ‘Rabab’ never used below the northern belt. “We managed to bring in the Afghan musician Humayun Sakhi to play the ‘Rabab’ along with Neeladri. June Banerjee and Mohan are the other peppy playback singers in the film,” says Mr. Apurva.

Ms Sawani says, “I am excited to be debuting in Kannada cinema playback. My song, ‘Hoomele Hani’, has a slow and romantic flow to it, peppered with classical flourishes on the Keeravani scale. It’s amazing to hear the track with its emotive share rising more with Neeladri Kumar’s sitar almost conversing with the lyrics.”

She got her Kannada pronunciation and expressions right with help from actor Bhavna and other experts.

Ms Sawani is the daughter of Madhup Mudgal, the principal of Gandharva Mahavidyalay in New Delhi. She was trained in Bharatanatya by Leela Samson. She is related to vocalist Shubha Mudgal.

Young musician Sawani Mudgal has sung for ‘Niruttara’, which is based

on sensitive relationships