Harano Sur (Lost Tune, 2018)

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Co-commissioned by Liverpool Biennial, the presentation is a film by Reetu Sattar of the performance at the Dhaka Art Summit 2018, featuring a physical structure, 33 musicians, 29 harmoniums, and 4 Shehnais.


Harano Sur, Catalogue, Liverpool biennial
1st trailer, Harano Sur, Film, 13:03, colour, 16:9, 5.1 sound
Installation shot, Liverpool Biennial, 2019, photo: Thiery Bal
Harano Sur, DAS, Photo: Pranabesh Das
Harano Sur, Fabricated Fracrures, Concrete, Alserkel Avenue, 2019
Harano Sur, Fabricated Fracrures, Concrete, Alserkel Avenue 2019
Harano Sur, Dhaka Art Summit, film still


Lost Tune is a work that draws together many performers, each to play three notes of the seven notes of a harmonium. This instrument has traditionally been tightly integrated into Bangladesh's culture.  
The artist uses these sustained droning sounds to explore the violence and social upheaval that have recently affected Bangladesh, and as a broader metaphor for issues of cultural control, Diasporas, and partition.The harmonium is in danger of disappearing in Bangladesh due to stricter interpretations of Islam and the rise of modernity in a country where traditions are struggling to pass from older to newer generations. By playing a sustained note, the players make a powerful statement that they and their traditions belong and are here to stay. Watch trailer here.