I have reached a phase in life where I am actively curating my individual experiences. Maybe it’s got to do with learning how to be more mindful, or perhaps growing up in the city makes it easy to become oversaturated with too much too soon, leaving you yearning for more riveting, unique happenings.

One such event I attended was last night! It was a silent movie screening accompanied by a live band, providing the score. In one word, it was OUTSTANDING. It exceeded my expectations, and here’s why-

1. The what |
‘Dreaming in Colour’ was an event orchestrated by Krish Makhija from Mosambi Juice Productions. He curated and brought this concept of a silent movie screening, with a live band adding a unique score to each film. If you’re not already sold on the idea (as I was), there’s more!

2. Why |
Inspired by the innovative storytelling of early cinema, Krish curated a set of short films by world-renowned directors such as Méliès, Gaston Velle, and the Lumière Brothers, creating a journey through the (almost) fantastical evolution of cinema and its relationship with colour. The four early silent films featured with a live musical score were:
– L’album Merveilleux (1905) – Gaston Velle
– Cendrillon ou La pantoufle merveilleuse (1912) – George Méliès
– Le Voyage Dans la Lun (1902) – George Méliès
– Le Dirigeable Fantastique (1905) – George Méliès

A still from Cinderella (1912) directed by Georges Méliès. I call this one ‘The clock strikes xii’ 

3. Who |
The star Band of ultra-talented musicians consisted of – Rohan Rajadhyaksha, Tajdar Junaid, Ajay Jayanthi, Abhinav Khokhar, Ankit Dayal, and Viraj Saxena. Who received a well- deserved round of applause after each film. It’s worth mentioning that the score was entirely original, meticulously crafted in a very short period. Who knew watching a silent film could be so entertaining? (Full 5 stars)

4. Where |
The event took place at one of my favourite stores in the city- Magnolia. (yes, it’s a furniture store!! and soon to branch into a design studio ) Magnolia is a family-run business consisting of a small, enthusiastic team. They decided to branch out into hosting cultural events. One such occasion was an exhibition of unique objects and artefacts from the personal collection of High Court solicitor Rajan Jayakar, who has been collecting for over fifty years. It was a real treat for us antique lovers!

The stage was set right in the centre of the store, with a huge projector screen, and the live band was situated between a four-poster bed and a beautiful mirrored console table. I’m pleased to say the band was excellent, and the sound quality was superb.

we were all given a clipping of an old film strip to take home from the event- it’s the little details that make for a great experience.

I had the chance to ask the team at Magnolia about their challenges in planning such an event and what they hoped the audience would take away from it.

“Trying to turn a primarily retail store into a

viewing space was difficult. We still wanted to retain the space as a store and showcase Magnolia. Apart from that, being confident enough to host so many people was very challenging. However, the response was quite overwhelming and we’re so glad it all worked out.”

I thoroughly enjoyed myself—this was a memorable experience. I hope it inspired everyone’s imagination and pursuits. Until next time!