Original Music for Theatre and Special Projects
Bringing stories to life through soundscapes, from international theatre stages to monumental museum installations.
The promotional image for 'The Vanishing Elephant'. As a co-composer, my role was to help create the musical world for this magical story, which has since toured New York and the UK.
An announcement of my role as Music Consultant and Co-composer for 'The Vanishing Elephant'. It was a joy to collaborate with an international team on this Cahoots Theatre production.
A screenshot of the New York Times review, which named 'The Vanishing Elephant' a Critic's Pick. Seeing our work recognized as a 'thing of wonder' is an honour I share with the entire team.
A stage photo showing the incredible puppetry that brings the elephant to life. The music had to match this visual magic, creating a sense of awe and emotion for the audience.
Another touching moment from the play, showcasing the connection between the characters and the elephant. My compositions aimed to underscore these powerful emotional beats in the narrative.
The UK tour poster for 'The Vanishing Elephant'. I am so proud to have co-composed the music for this children's play that has reached audiences across the world.
The magnificent Banjara Viraasat Museum in Washim, Maharashtra. I had the extraordinary opportunity to serve as the Music Composer for this monumental project, documenting the history and culture of the Banjara community.
Performing 'Cartography' at the NLighten conference in Kochi. This was a conceptual piece I composed and performed alongside Vishnu R, with dramaturgy by Abhishek Majumdar.
About Music for Theatre & Special Projects
When I compose for a theatre production or a large-scale project, I avoid working in isolation. I prefer being in the rehearsal room from the start, watching the actors move and understanding the rhythm of the puppetry or the architecture of a space like the Banjara Viraasat Museum. This allows me to build a sonic palette that breathes with the show, ensuring the music feels like it belongs to the story rather than just sitting on top of it.
The process of creating a theatrical score or a soundscape for an exhibit is rarely about just the notes. For 'The Vanishing Elephant', the music had to sync perfectly with puppetry, requiring a tight collaboration with the international creative team to ensure the audio narrative supported every emotional beat. My approach to these projects usually begins with deep-dive research into the historical or cultural themes of the narrative.
Whether I am developing an overture, designing scene underscores, or programming electronic textures to sit alongside folk vocals, technical integration is key. I work closely with technicians to prepare QLab sessions and ensure the final mix is balanced for the specific acoustics of the venue, whether it is a black box theatre or an open museum space.
For projects like the Banjara Viraasat Museum, the scope involves managing a large constellation of artists, from Dhol players to classical vocalists, and merging these diverse sounds into a cohesive experience. I am happy to consult on musical narrative, provide full end-to-end production, or join a team as a composer to add that specific cultural layer to your project.
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