If it's not music, It is not Banaras

Music, Meditation, Mysticism and Banaras

Would you recall Dr Bhattacharya gasping for air and being pushed around by the Sadhus inside Lolark Kund? I bet you were preparing yourself for Dr Bhattacharya to collapse and possibly die any minute.

You may also recall the chorus of chants which was playing on the back of the violent notes of piano depicting the agony of Dr Bhattacharya.

That has always been one my favorite scenes ….and that background music was written as a part of the first draft of the script.

The background score of Banaras is the highlight of the film and is the key in creating an atmosphere of meditation and mysticism. We had put a huge amount of research in choosing the chants and the hymns.

Remember the vibrations of; Buddham Sharanam Gachhami…
Asato ma sadgamaya, Tamaso ma …

Music is an integral part of the mystical Banaras. We needed a voice which touches the divinity and yet remains human.

We chose the professional “ yet sweet and innocent” voice of Sanjiv Abhyankar (a protégé of the illustrious Pt. Jasraj) to deliver the classical notes that enhance the atmosphere to meditative levels. The enchanting female voice, which touches a chord in your heart every time you hear her, belongs to lovely Neha.

The flute was played by Pt. (young Rakesh) Chaurasia. Remember the scene where Babaji playing the hypnotic flute, when Soham’s body is being carried to the Mankarnika ghat?

There was the great debate of whether to stick to convention Tabla and Dholak for beats or use modern instruments. We finally used the later.

The background score was the result of some great efforts by Mr. Sodhi who was absolutely immersed in the color of “Banaras”.