The Goethe-Zentrum Hyderabad will be presenting an exquisite experience for Hyderabadis with the screening of the silent film A Throw of Dice, accompanied by live music by the German orchestra of sixteen members Tuten und Blasen. Being performed in only two cities across the country, Hyderabad will share the privilege with Mumbai on October 20.
A Throw of Dice, a 1929 Indian film by Franz Osten, is a silent film classic based on an episode of Mahabharat. Two kings, who are addicted to gambling fight for the love of the beautiful Sunita, daughter of the hermit, with all their available resources. A game of dice will determine the winner. The film was shot entirely in Mumbai with Indian actors and performers (including the boys from the streets of Jaipur), with Himansu Rai and Sita Devi in the lead roles.
Music for the silence is being provided Tuten und Blasen, which has been making music for over 30 years: on the streets and squares, in tents and concert halls - and over 20 years in the cinema for silent films from the ‘20s. In the early days it was the rough, loud, unexpected and sloping style that distinguished Tuten und Blasen’s music from the others.
The group has not completely discarded these characteristics, but reduced and refined them. Their music today is a unique blend of jazz, Afro and Latin elements. Full, warm horns, polyrhythmic West African music, percussive samba and Afoxéklänge from Brazil, and the African and jazz inspired compositions by Hans Schneidermann determine the range of the band.
For the music to A throw of the Dice, Axel Hennies has created a package for this film from Indian music, motifs from jazz and special compositions written by musicians of the band. Featuring more than 30 instruments, the music deepens the dramatic and psychological aspects of the film, yet it remains at an independent level.
The film-concert will be held at Shilpakala Vedika on October 20, Saturday at 7 pm. Entry to the concert is free, however, passes must be collected prior to the event from the Goethe-Zentrum centre in Banjara Hills. Passes will be available on first-come-first-serve basis. For details, contact 040-2335 0443.