Lokapriya

Directed by Arun Khopkar

Music has the capacity to breathe life into a cinematic image. The evolution of Hindi film music has been shaped by technological changes in the recording industry as well as other cultural forces like the local Ramlila tradition, the narrative structures of Hindi films and the rising prominence of women characters within those narratives. But despite these wide range of influences, what remains central to Hindi film music is the way the sounds, lyrics and notes touch a chord with the common man. From the streets of Bombay, to the local barber shops and the booming remixes floating in urban clubs that has generations of youth gyrating to the beats very few spaces have been left untouched by Hindi music. Arun Khopkar's musical journey is accompanied by equally joyous camera movements and thus, manages to provide a nuanced understanding of the elements of Hindi film music and how the orchestra, percussion and western influences created a harmonious confluence of unique musical patterns.