Musician from Shimla Shines at Film Festival
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Shimla, Dec 20 (NationPress) 'Sheep Barn' (Bhediya Dhasaan), a Hindi feature film, has made its mark with music composed by Tejaswi Lohumi, an independent musician based in Shimla. The film premiered at the renowned 29th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) which took place in Thiruvananthapuram.
Directed by Bharat Singh Parihar, the film was chosen for the festival under the 'Indian Cinema Now' category, a selection made by a jury led by filmmaker Salim Ahamed alongside filmmakers Lijin Jose, Shalini Ushadevi, Vipin Atlee, and film critic Aditya Srikrishna.
Overall, seven films were selected to be showcased in the Indian Cinema Now section.
The screenings occurred on December 14, 16, and the final showing was on December 19.
Filmed predominantly in Mukteshwar, a picturesque hill station in Uttarakhand, the cast and crew largely comprise individuals from the area.
Tejaswi Lohumi crafted and recorded the entire soundtrack at his studio in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
The narrative depicts life in a Himalayan village, highlighting the struggles stemming from an expanding generational divide.
The film explores themes of herd mentality and the more somber aspects of human behavior influenced by dire poverty.
The story vividly illustrates the older generation's resistance to change and the ensuing conflict through the eyes of a young man.
After relocating to a large city in pursuit of a better life, the protagonist returns to his village following his mother's passing, only to find himself ensnared in the village's conservative social framework.
Faced with a lack of employment opportunities, the exploitation of vulnerable villagers by a corrupt network of officials and the local panchayat pradhan, along with strict and discriminatory social norms, his life becomes a struggle.
As he grapples with adapting, his disillusionment with the oppressive atmosphere grows.
Exasperated by the village's collective mindset, he attempts everything to persuade his father to join him in moving to the city, but the old man remains resolute.
Director Bharat Singh Parihar stated, "Our goal was to encapsulate the spirit of an Indian Himalayan village, where transformation is still resisted. The film lays bare the harsh realities faced by impoverished villages and the dark emotions that fill them."
"The bleak future confronting the youth who remain in the village, the stubborn elders who regard poverty as an accomplishment for the younger generation, the pervasive corruption, and caste-driven social dynamics are all brought to light," he added.
Regarding the musical composition, Tejaswi mentioned to IANS, "I incorporated a variety of unconventional instruments such as didgeridoo, handpan, kalimba, and djembe, alongside traditional instruments like cello, flute, guitar, and nagada. These unique instruments harmonize with the cultural and environmental backdrop of the Himalayas."
"I aimed to use these instruments in innovative ways as the director desired a distinctive soundscape that would enhance the visual storytelling," he concluded.
