Jhaptal: A Documentary in Ten Beats is a poetic and courageously independent documentary shot and directed by Sandi Higgins, in rhythm with Indian classical music and the enduring pulse of cultural memory.

Currently in post-production, the film offers rare and intimate conversations with legendary musical maestros, some no longer with us, whose artistry continues to inspire and shape generations.

In a world that moves too fast and listens too little, Indian classical music offers an antidote. Rooted in centuries of embodied wisdom, this art form invites us to slow down, to feel deeply, and to attune to nuance: emotional, rhythmic, and spiritual.

With no shortcuts and no need for spectacle, Indian Classical Music reveals the power of subtlety and presence. Within its contemplative framework of Raga & Tala we find astonishing musical absorption, speed, virtuosity, and improvisational mastery, reminding us that freedom emerges from discipline, and that deep and enduring joy is born from tuning-in.

Like its preview but in an extended format, Jhaptal A Documentary In 10 Beats will unfold in ten movements, echoing the ten-beat cycle of the rhythm cycle that it’s named after, each section offering a window into a key dimension of Indian classical music: i.e. parampara and gharana, riyaaz and discipline, improvisation, bhakti or devotion, fusion collaborations, spirituality and silence, and more.

Blending vérité footage, archival gems, poetic voiceover, and live musical performance clips, this documentary weaves a rhythmic and emotional arc rather than a strictly chronological or categorical one. The aim is not only to document, but to evoke — to create an experience that conveys the flavors, nuance, and transcendence of the Indian Classical tradition itself.

With your support and contribution, the goal is to complete post-production in 2025 so that Jhaptal is ready for festival release and public screening by early 2026. Together we can bring this rare musical tapestry to audiences around the world!