My Father, An Artist
'My Father, An Artist' is a study of artistic creativity inasmuch as it is a cinematic portrait of my father, the legendary Indian flautist, composer, choreographer, musicologist and poet Pt. Vijay Raghav Rao.
Through the past six decades, Pt. Vijay Raghav Rao has shaped and influenced the essential form and derivatives of culture known to the world as classically Indian. It can be authoritatively said that with his performances on the Indian flute in front of audiences worldwide, he has interpreted ancient music for modern ears with an understanding that is chaste, and an elocution that stimulates intellects, both mature and young. His genius has also expressed itself in critically acclaimed works for modern orchestral and ballet ensembles. Several award winning features and short films shown at some of the most prestigious international film festivals carry his experimental music. He has been bestowed with honors and awards recognizing his exemplary contributions to the arts throughout the world.
My film is not a biography, nor is it to be construed as promotional material. Rather, my film tries to capture the intent and spirit of artistic creativity. To me, words, color, dance, music or pictures are all tools of an artist. And my father, like an original artist, uses them to discover truth in his own, inimitable way. In the process, he enlightens us.
I have tried to construct the film in the nature of an organic study. Much like the shooting which occurred over the course of 14 years, I have let the sound and the visuals connect and grow into an artistic statement about creativity, with as little intervention as possible. The approach is of an artist studying another artist/teacher/parent by observation - using the spoken word, camera, sound and the editing technique as a filmmakerÂ’s collective pen.