Loading. By Peter Rainer Special correspondent
Does a movie about a devoted modern-day practitioner of Hindustani classical music sound overly esoteric? âThe Disciple,â written and directed by Chaitanya Tamhane, is anything but. What itâs really about is the spiritual balm that great art can provide.
Sharad (Aditya Modak) is a 24-year-old vocalist in the ancient tradition who studies and performs with his longtime musical guru, or Guruji (Arun Dravid). Like his father before him in this rarefied realm, he craves renown for his artistry. But Sharadâs father (Kiran Yadnyopavit) died without achieving recognition and, although his ambitions are high, Sharad seems bound for the same path. Hearing him perform in the musical competitions he never wins, itâs clear he has talent, not greatness.
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Early in “The Disciple,” a brilliantly composed, rigorously intelligent new movie from the Indian writer-director Chaitanya Tamhane, a young man named Sharad (Aditya Modak) sits at a table offering rare musical treasures for sale. No one takes much interest or notice. Sifting idly through the CDs on display, a potential customer says he’s never heard of any of these artists, to which Sharad replies with a true believer’s conviction: “Yes, sir, but they are as good as the famous names.” You can sense him holding back: What he’d probably like to say is that they’re possibly
The Disciple Review: Chaitanya Tamhane s Delicately Crafted Drama Commands Absolute Attention
The Disciple Review: Chaitanya Tamhane s Delicately Crafted Drama Commands Absolute Attention
The Disciple Review: The Marathi film, executive produced by Alfonso Cuaron, tracks an arduous rites-of-passage journey in a manner that is instantly illuminating.
A still from
The Disciple.(courtesy YouTube)
Cast: Aditya Modak, Arun Dravid, Sumitra Bhave, Deepika Bhide Bhagwat, Ashwini Kulkarni, Kiran Yadnyopavita and Abhishek Kale
Director: Chaitanya Tamhane
Rating: Four stars (out of 5)
A keenly observed, delicately crafted drama about learning and unlearning in the cloistered world of Hindustani classical music,
The Disciple zeroes in on a Mumbai vocalist trying to find his voice - and feet - in a demanding domain. The Marathi film, written and directed Chaitanya Tamhane and executive produced by Alfonso Cuaron, tracks an arduous rites-of-passage journey in a manner that is instant