Documentary film
A substantial documentary film that brings the music, the musicians, and their stories to audiences around the world.
Flagship project · Nepal · 2026–2027
The Sarangi Documentation Project
We're creating the first thorough documentary and written record of an oral storytelling tradition carried on the sarangi by Gandharva musicians in rural, high-altitude Nepal.
WhereRural, high-altitude Nepal
FieldworkMay – mid-June 2027
PartnerThe Initiatives Foundation
MakingDocumentary + archive
The tradition
Stories carried on four strings.
The sarangi is a small, bowed string instrument carved from a single piece of wood. In Nepal, it's closely tied to the Gandharva, a community of hereditary musicians.
For generations, Gandharva musicians have used the sarangi to carry songs and stories from village to village: news, history, epics, and everyday life, set to music. The tradition is passed down by ear, from one generation to the next.
Much of this repertoire lives only in memory and performance. It has never been thoroughly recorded.
This project documents that tradition carefully and respectfully, working with our partners in Nepal, so it can be heard, studied, and passed on.
It is also GMI's first international partnership: the first step in a growing network of university chapters and partner communities that will reach well beyond Nepal. See where we're headed
What we're making
A film, and a record that lasts.
Audio and video archive
Full recordings of performances and interviews, preserved so they aren't lost.
Written record
A written account of the songs, stories, and practice behind them, for researchers and future musicians.
Who's involved
The people behind the project.
MLMakoa Lewis
Founder, Global Music Initiative · Project lead
Karun Dhakal
Director, The Initiatives Foundation · Partner in Nepal
KRKevin Rilling
Faculty Advisor, Vanderbilt University
Where it will be seen
Planned festival submissions.
After premiering in fall 2027, we plan to submit the film to:
- POINT OF VUVanderbilt University
- DOC NYCNew York City
- DocFilmMusic competitionKrakow Film Festival, Poland
Help bring this music to the world.
We're raising funds for fieldwork, equipment, and post-production. If you'd like to support the project or partner with us, get in touch.