The harmony of time ‘Raag Kaal Mala’ explores intersection of music, nature

Renowned filmmaker Amit Dutta, celebrated worldwide for his award-winning documentary “Nainsukh of Guler”, has embarked on another evocative cinematic journey titled “Raag Kaal Mala” (Garland of Time and the Connected Emotion).

The film, initiated on Friday at the historic town of Guler in Kangra district, seeks to explore the intricate relationship between ragas and time, while paying homage to the timeless artistry of the Kangra valley and its legendary miniature tradition.

The film’s sonic essence is being shaped by none other than Ustad Baha’ud’din Dagar, one of India’s foremost exponents of the Rudra Veena and a Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee. Dagar arrived in Guler on Thursday and has begun composing sequences in tune with the shifting moods of nature — from dawn to dusk — synchronising his music with the rhythm of passing hours. A 20th-generation Dhrupad musician and fourth-generation Rudra Veena master, Dagar hails from the illustrious lineage of Baba Behram Khan, who adorned the court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Having begun his musical journey at 16, he has dedicated over three decades to the Veena’s meditative depth.

According to Indian aesthetics, a day is divided into eight pahars (segments) of three hours each, each resonating with a particular raga — Lalit, Bhairav, Todi, Sarang, Marwa, Yaman, Bihag and Maalkauns. ‘Raag Kaal Mala’ seeks to weave these ragas into a cinematic tapestry of sound, time and emotion.

Amit Dutta, while speaking with The Tribune, said, “Guler Fort at Nandpur offers a perfect vantage to capture the sun’s entire journey — from sunrise to sunset. Every artist’s creation, whether in music, poetry or painting, is a reflection of Naad Pratima — the sound image. Also, Guler was picked up as it happens to be the birthplace of Kangra paintings.”

Deeply inspired by his long association with Ustad Baha’ud’din, Dutta believes Raag Kaal Mala will reaffirm the ancient belief that all performing arts are harmoniously interwoven with time and nature.