Colonial Interlude – Documentary Film Screening on Muthuswami Dikshitar

Sahanas in Mylapore will host a screening of the award-winning documentary Colonial Interlude on November 24, 2024, at its premises on D’Silva Road. The screening begins at 6 p.m.

Created and directed by renowned music composer and educator Dr. Kanniks Kannikeswaran, the documentary delves into the unique fusion of South Indian and colonial music traditions during Muthuswami Dikshitar’s time. It highlights how Dikshitar (1775–1835), one of India’s greatest composers, blended Sanskrit lyrics with Western colonial tunes, creating a magical genre of music that bridged two distinct traditions.

The film explores Dikshitar’s journey through sacred sites, contrasting traditional raga-based compositions with nottuswara sahityas—Sanskrit songs set to European melodies introduced by the British East India Company. It also includes interviews with folk music performers from Cincinnati, showcasing how these 18th-century tunes evolved across cultures in India and the US.

Venue: Sahanas, No. 15, D’Silva Road, Mylapore (near HDFC Bank, Abiramapuram)
Entry: Free, but prior registration is mandatory via WhatsApp at 6381230739.