Lost in Harmony is about losing oneself in Nature and all the emotions it brings forth. Described as an “experimental, non-verbal, musical short,” the film is steeped in shades of greens, browns, and other earthy tones that only nature can conjure. Many of these natural hues are captured through the eyes of its protagonist, whose trek has unexpectedly turned into a solo adventure, as well as through the music that underscores the enchantment and mystery of the forest.
Produced by Sonic Sanctum Studios, the brain behind the film’s concept, story, and musical score is Sanjeev Venkataramanan, a multi-faceted violinist. Though widely recognized as a Carnatic music performer, Sanjeev sees himself more as a composer and producer. The film, shot in various forests across south India, maps many contrasts—sound and silence, light and darkness, safety and risk, drenched leaves, and dry rocks, to name a few.
Lost in Harmony captures the plethora of emotions that Nature can evoke. Fear, wonder, curiosity, peace, love, and ecstasy are only a few of the feelings depicted. A dedicated six-member team, including two cinematographers, a wildlife advisor, a producer, an actor, and a director, traveled approximately 3,000 kilometers over 15 days to capture the majority of the footage. Their journey took them to the forests around Thekkady, Bhadra, Dandeli, Bandipur, Hogenakkal, and further afield to the interiors of Puducherry, Senji, and Pulicat. The shoot involved trekking deep into the woodlands, camping, and truly surrendering to the forest’s rhythms.
The process demanded the crew’s utmost dedication as they navigated remote locations, often carrying heavy equipment and supplies while camping in sites surrounded by deep pits to keep elephants at bay. They spent nights engrossed in tales from forest rangers or simply immersed in the symphony of forest sounds.
“Lost in Harmony is informed by all these experiences,” says Sanjeev, noting that he had to tweak the story during the shoot based on what the forests presented. Sanjeev’s musical journey has always run parallel to his relationship with Nature and his love for wildlife photography. The inspiration for this film stemmed from a single piece of music he wrote. “Music can be used to convey a lot of emotions. Even without visuals, music lends itself to a story. The first image that came to me was of a young man seeking peace,” he explains. Keeping this in mind, he composed the music that then became the foundation for the film, a reversal from the usual process where music is composed to match the visuals.
.
A senior Carnatic violinist and a long-time student of violin virtuoso A. Kanyakumari, Sanjeev found that in a classical concert setting, one often has to “respond or answer someone” (mostly the main artiste) as an accompanying artiste. More interested in instrumental music and curious about the emphasis on harmony in Western music, Sanjeev sought to explore his own musical vocabulary.
“Western music has not explored gamakas, and we have not explored harmony,” he says. Wanting to bring a confluence of the two, he set about learning to write music using staff notation, noting that a basic understanding of swaras helps. Influenced by his musical icon Ilaiyaraaja, Sanjeev veered toward orchestral compositions, admiring Ilaiyaraaja’s ability to deliver music precisely and meaningfully without excess. “There’s never an excess of music in Ilaiyaraaja Sir’s compositions. Every note sits just right with the visuals,” he affirms.
For a musician like Sanjeev, for whom “lyrics take a backseat,” the focus is on creating music that is not a fusion of different parts but rather a harmonious whole. His primary inspiration remains his guru, A. Kanyakumari, whose late-night classes he holds in fond memory. “Being a busy artiste, she could conduct classes only after 10 p.m. We learned in a small group, and the healthy competition strengthened our musical skills.” It was possibly from her musical practice that he developed a profound appreciation for instrumental music, which, in his opinion, allows for a grander presentation of a raga.
The visuals of Lost in Harmony blend seamlessly with Sanjeev’s intricate music. It is no surprise that the film has garnered 14 awards in festival circuits so far, including four international accolades. The film’s big-screen premiere is scheduled for World Environment Day (June 5) at the Tagore Film Centre in Chennai, with composer Vidyasagar set to preside over the event.
From immersing oneself in Nature’s depths to experiencing the magic of music, Lost in Harmony aims to resonate with audiences on multiple levels, bringing to life the soulful symphony of the natural world through the power of music and compelling visuals.
