Swarmanthan

Made to commemorate Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi on his birth centenary, this documentary by FTII faculty has its focus on learning and presentation of music. Gems of advice in own voice of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi is bound to inspire those engaged in music education, because he was not only a legendary artiste, but also a legendary teacher who has given eminent disciples to the world. Simplicity of his spoken words and euphony of his singing, including a rare Kumar Vyasa verse in Kannada, create a collage of education, inspiration and biography in this no frills short documentary that suits fast life of the day.

Directed by Milind Bapat, Swarmanthan leans on a strong ensemble — Bhimsen Joshi — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 2021.