The Official Community Of Nitin Sawhney

Unravelling

Unravelling (2008, 17mins) is inspired from an inter-generational dialogue in poetry which asks and tells of the experiences of war between Sawarn Singh - a WII veteran - and his grandson Kuldip Powar. The director Powar, posed questions about memories of War in Urdu poetry to his Grandfather - an Indian soldier who fought for the British in Burma, the Middle East and Africa before moving to Coventry in the 1950s.

The production of the film was developed from a unique ‘call and response’ process. Acclaimed music composer Nitin Sawhney responded to and incorporated the poetic dialogue to produce an original haunting score. In turn, the director weaved textured visuals with Nitin’s score to deliver a powerful 'unravelling'. This film is an evocative and searching exploration of colonial legacy and belonging in contemporary Britain.

Unravelling screened November 11-23, 2008 at The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Jordan Well, Coventry, CV1 5QP. Further details can be found at the Goldsmiths web site.

Unravelling was also launched as a Noise of the Past production in Coventry Cathedral (November 8, 2009) as a creative critical intervention in Remembrance.

It will be screened at a Black Screen Heritage Conference at the Imperial War Museum (July 31, 2009).

Varekai

Nitin's skills as producer and composer were called upon in 2000 when Cirque du Soleil approached him to produce the studio album of Varekai, which brought his unique sound to an even-wider audience.

Cirque du Soleil’s 14th stage production, Varekai, is the story of a fallen angel who wanders the underworld with a series of strange guides. These versions of the stage compositions reflect a weaving of ethnic flavors through exotic electronica. Featuring the sounds of African djembe, Gypsy violin, French musette-style accordions, Indonesian shakers, and the languages of the world being sung, chanted, and whispered to thrilling effect, the music of Varekai was a perfect project for Nitin. Also on the album are frequent Sawhney collaborators Stephen Hussey (conducting members of the English Chamber Orchestra) Tina Grace, and Natacha Atlas.

The Namesake - Soundtrack

Nitin Sawhney's original score for director Mira Nair's latest feature film is out now on Rounder Records. Film Journal International stated in its review of the film "The Namesake is...graced with the best music score heard in years." The soundtrack also features tracks from State of Bengal and Susheela Raman.

Based on the novel by Jhumpa Lahiri, the film The Namesake follows the evolution of the Ganguly family through their lives in India and America; and son Gogol's struggles with the burden of personal history. The soundtrack is a wonderful combination of Bengali folk music, modern hip hop and electronica, and Nitin Sawhney's compositions from the film.

Throw of Dice - Soundtrack

This exciting project brings together Franz Osten's finest, most acomplished and stunningly beautiful Indian silent film from 1929, 'A Throw of Dice' with British Asian Nitin Sawhney one of the most influential and versatile creative mucic talents.

Based on the pivotal gambling episode from the Mahabharata 'A Throw of Dice' is alovely story that tells the story of Ranjit and nefarious Sohan, two kings with a passion for gambling and the same woman, Sunita.