A documentary film by Andrew Mendelson
a Cricket in the Court ofAKBAR
An American in the world of Hindustani music
Hindustani music | cultural exchange | Rajasthan | the guru-Shishya tradition
About the film
Sitar in hand, navigating an ancient world
In 2003, at the invitation of his guru Pandit Krishna Mohan Bhatt, American sitarist Andrew Mendelson traveled to Jaipur and—on a whim—entered the largest music competition in Rajasthan. He won.
The film documents his return to compete in the Tournament of Champions, and the cultural reckoning that follows.
The Music
Raga, tala, and the centuries-old structure of Hindustani classical form—explored through competition, performance, and the words of the masters themselves.
The Culture
What does it mean to enter a living tradition as an outsider? The film navigates the guru-shishya relationship and what it asks of a western student.
The Competition
The Sri Mahendra Bhatt Music Competition, now known as the Darshak Music Competition, draws Rajasthan’s finest classical musicians, where a living musical tradition continues to flourish.
Music is such a thing that comes out of the heart, and goes inside the heart of the person sitting in front of you.
Promilla Rajeev
Journal
Latest News
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‘A Cricket in the Court…’ Now Available on Demand!
A Cricket in the Court of Akbar is now available for instant viewing online or on your TV through Amazon. You can rent or buy the film today and watch it from any device in glorious HD (so long as that device has an HD screen). DVDs will become available again soon. In the mean…
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So you’ve found a Sitar. Now What?
With a sitar comes many technical challenges that must be mastered in order to keep the instrument in good condition. Maintenance requires courage and ritualistic commitment—you will bleed, but you will come away a deeper understanding of what your instrument needs to sound its best. It is an important part of the practice, and will…
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Video from the Hamilton Int. Film Festival
I had a wonderful experience at the Hamilton International Film Festival a few weeks ago. Hamilton is a small town in upstate New York, and home to Colgate University. The film festival is an intimate event, with screenings held at the historic Hamilton Theater, and where filmmakers and audiences can come together and really connect.…
Occasional notes
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New screenings, educational resources, and updates on Hindustani music—delivered occasionally, never spammed.