Prayer 9' 49 with Dr. L. Subramanium Based on Raag Chandrapuria 18. Though I didn't visit Kerala during the shooting of Cotton Mary, I was familiar with the magic of the place. I had been there years earlier and, as one always very affected by the immediate environment, had found myself entering into the magic and interacting with it. To me everything about Kerala seemed welcoming and encouraged participation. Artistic expression flourishes there.
Music is a major force.
But eventually I learned no effort was needed to remember what Kerala was like. It's one of those unforgettable places. After Cotton Mary was cast, filmed and edited, it was then time for the Music Department to go to work. And as you will hear, I had a much greater choice of musical styles to choose from. The director, Ismail Merchant, who had always been devoted to the classical music of India, introduced the extraordinarily moving music of the South Indian vilolinist, Maestro Subramanium and Geoff Alexander, who always gives Merchant Ivory his very best, contributed these beautiful orchestrations for which I am extremely grateful.