Sitar Samrat Nikhil Banerjee: That Which Colors The Mind: An Unfinished Film By Steven Baigel.

Original Link -

Sitar Samrat Nikhil Banerjee: That Which Colors The Mind: An Unfinished Film By Steven Baigel -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-agD7oQoeM

A wonderful unfinished film on the music and life of Nikhil Banerjee by Steven Baigel. This work is a product of love dedicated to the Samrat of Sitar, Shri Nikhil Banerjee. Steven Baigel has produced, directed, written , filmed and edited this film and it is being shared on You Tube, for all the lovers of Nikhilda.

In the words of Steven Baigel, please note:
I ask anyone who shares this link to please also share my statement regarding the film. This film should not be presented as a finished film.

We continue to hope that a finished version film will be published by Steven Baigel.

The words "Sitar Samrat' means The Emperor of Sitar, and they arise as the natural inner accolade from the listener who otherwise is rendered speechless for the profound connection within with the higher Self, upon being with the Music of Nikhil Banerjee.

With deep gratitude and namaskaars to all who appear in the film, and others whose names appear at the end of the film. This film, a compilation of eleven clips which Steven Baigel calls ‘unfinished work’, is the most comprehensive introduction to Shri Nikhil Banerjee available so far. We are deeply grateful to him, for this dedicated production, which will prove very precious for generations of sitar and music lovers.

Sharing more words of Steven Baigel about this film:

Some final words on this project: I began this film with the most humble, loving, and sincerest intentions, to bring to the world some light on the life and music of Pandit Nikhil Banerjee. I have often been asked why hasnÔøΩt the film been finished? Why canÔøΩt you raise the necessary money? When can I get a dvd copy? This is not the place to get into depth about all the obstacles I faced in trying to make this film.

This is admittedly a very imperfect film with many flaws, but at the same time I do believe it serves a certain cultural and historical importance. A combination of my own limited resources, be they creative, intellectual, questionable fundraising tenacity, ÔøΩ. as well as being overwhelmed by the many disappointments, frustrations, broken promises, and rejections I experienced along the journey is in part why the film was never properly finished. I invested many thousands of my own dollars and many thousands of hours of my own time into making this project. I received no financial assistance and with few exceptions, very little logistic help from anybody.

The film sadly languished for many years partially finished because I essentially lost the heart to continue, and then eventually I decided I had to finish it at least in some state for the select few who would actually appreciate and possibly benefit from the effort. Initially I was looking for worldwide distribution and broadcast because I naively thought there should be a global audience for Indian classical music, and more specifically the music and life of Nikhil Banerjee. But I came to learn that there was very little interest beyond the passionate and dedicated few. I want to apologize to everybody for the filmÔøΩs shortcomings as well as the long delay in getting the various segments out so they could be viewed. The bulk of the film was shot 20 years ago. I hope soon to re-stitch the segments together and put them up on YouTube as an unfinished, non-commercial, basically personal celebration of the life and music of Nikhil Banerjee, as his life model and music have had such a profound impact on my life. It is my personal thank you to him.

Photographs used were what I was able to find many years ago when the film was still in production. Since then many others have surfaced that I wish I could have included in the film. Unfortunately I do not have the names of most the photographers, so any help in identifying them would be appreciated so that I can give proper credit where due.

I want to offer a very special thank you to all those who, without their support and contribution, this film could not have been made, especially those who took time to sit for my interviews. And most especially, my heartfelt thanks to Smt. Roma Banerjee and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, because without them this film would not exist.

Thank you.

Steven Baigel

You tube informs me that:
Copyright claimed for Raga Manj Khamaj and Khamaj
Video cannot be monetized
Ad revenue paid to copyright owner.
I am not aware of the identity of the copyright claimant.
I have no monetary interest in sharing this film.