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BREAKING BARRIERS

In his own words:

"The music of Mungal Patasar and Pantar is rooted in the philosophy that there must be bliss for all those who hear it regardless of colour, creed or race. The music creates a place where all the beautiful streams of the different cultures of the Caribbean meet. The story of the Caribbean is a romance that has seen suitors from the four corners of the earth who have all left their cultural legacies. It is the convergence of Europe, Africa, the Americans and the Orient. The music of Mungal Patasar and the Pantar very beautifully expresses this ideal. It conjures a picture of release and relaxation that transcends physical and geographical boundaries. Rooted in popular rhythms and nuances it takes the listener on a journey - a trip of bliss...
My Music is a gift from God, available for everyone to partake of" - Dr. Mungal Patasar.

I was authorized by Dr. Mungal Patasar to make a video recording of 'Mungal Patasar Live at The Little Carib Theater' on 12th April, 2007. I produced a one-minute music video of the song “TENDONITIS”. Further in 2008, "BREAKING BARRIERS" a documentary story developed, about Dr. Mungal Patasar and Pantar, past and present production in music.
When speaking to the Show Host Sheldon Blackman, Ras Shorty I's son and Machel Montano 'The King of Soca', Dr. Patasar speaks about his past involvement with Ras Shorty I in the creation of 'SOKAH' music in Trinidad for the world.

"BREAKING BARRIERS" was completed and was not qualified to compete TTFC 2012 'Feature Documentary' because of the video time below (60) sixty minutes. This documentary was never financially supported to further compete in any 'International Film Festivals' until this day.

  • RICKI MANMOHAN
    Director
    BREAKING BARRIERS
  • RICKI MANMOHAN
    Writer
    BREAKING BARRIERS
  • RICKI MANMOHAN
    Producer
    BREAKING BARRIERS
  • MACHEL MONTANO
    Show Host
    SHOW HOST
  • SHELDON BLACKMAN
    Show Host
    SHOW HOST
  • MUNGAL PATASAR
    Key Cast
    "STAR SITAR PLAYER"
    HUMMING BIRD MEDALIST
  • PRASHANT PATASAR
    Key Cast
    "CO-STAR TABLA PLAYER"
  • EARL CARNAVON
    Key Cast
    "KEYBOARD PLAYER"
  • DAWUD ORR
    Key Cast
    "FLUTE, SAXOPHONE & WIND CONTROLLER PLAYER"
  • LOUIS HARVEY
    Key Cast
    "BASS GUITAR PLAYER"
  • WAYNE TOBITT
    Key Cast
    "DRUM KIT PLAYER"
  • LYNDON LIVINGSTONE
    Key Cast
    "COMPUTER & MIXER PLAYER"
  • JOHN HUSSAIN
    Key Cast
    "GUITAR PLAYER"
  • MARLON CHARLES
    Key Cast
    "DOUBLE TENOR STEEL PAN PLAYER"
  • HAROLD HEADLY
    Key Cast
    "TENOR PAN PLAYER"
  • KARIM COLLINGWOOD
    Key Cast
    "BASS GUITAR & DRUM KIT PLAYER"
  • MARCUS SAMMY
    Key Cast
    "SOUND ENGINEER"
  • SIKHWINDER SINGH NAMDHARI
    ARTIST PERFORMANCES
    TABLIST GUEST ARTIST 'SYLLYBUS' PERFORMANCE
  • KEES DIEFFENTHALLER
    ARTIST PERFORMANCES
    GUEST ARTIST FREESTYLE PERFORMANCE
  • BROTHER RESISTANCE
    ARTIST PERFORMANCES
    GUEST ARTIST FREESTYLE PERFORMANCE
  • MARABEL RAMOS
    ARTIST PERFORMANCES
    GUEST DANCE ARTIST FREESTYLE PERFORMANCE
  • MAXIMUS DAN
    ARTIST PERFORMANCES
    GUEST ARTIST 'JAH LIGHT' PERFORMANCE
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Music Video
  • Runtime:
    59 minutes 53 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 12, 2012
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Trinidad and Tobago
  • Country of Filming:
    Trinidad and Tobago
  • Language:
    English
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - RICKI MANMOHAN

Ricki Manmohan Bio

“Breaking Barriers” by Ricki Manmohan, the Audio Engineer, Cameraperson, Graphic Artist, Film Director, Producer, Video Editor and Writer for this documentary.
Ricki Manmohan was born 9th October, 1980. By profession, she is presently a student at NAPA second year studying for BFA in Digital Media in Animation and Music Technology.
Skilled in many aspects of sound production and technical direction for studio, live special events, television network, film, and radio commercials, including recording, dubbing, editing, and final mix down.
Strong foundation and experience in film production, photography, commercial art and computer graphics applications, complemented by knowledge of business operations and the need for customer- focused services.
A track record of initiative and achievements – seeking out freelance projects, expanding job description boundaries, volunteering, and being selected for positions of responsibility within chosen field.

Ricki was first introduced to audio engineering, by her primary school teacher, Ms. Redhead. She first taught Ricki how to use a mixer, to set up a microphone, headphones levels and assigned her to perform announcements for her fellow primary school students and teachers every day.
Presently, Ricki Manmohan is given the opportunity to work along side with, being tutored by highly educated, widely experienced, audio engineers (Masters) such as, Martin Raymond, Basil Lai, Omari Ashby, Robin Foster, Yoichi Watanabe and Francis Escayg. A list of a few of ‘The Best Sound Engineers’ we have here in Trinidad. With them she has worked with, Artistes/Clients: 3 Canal, Boogsie Sharpe, Carl Jacobs, David Rudder, Denise Belfon, General Grant, Hemo & Moofire, Kees Dieffenthaller, Machel Montano, Maximus Dan, Michelle Sylvester, Minmi, Dawg-E Slaughter, Dr. Mungal Patasar and Pantar the band, Precious, 12 the band, 51 Degrees, Republic Bank, Shurwayne Winchester, Win TV, Advance Dynamics, Inglefield Ogilvy & Mather, Joop.

Ricki Manmohan photography and movie passions started at a very young age. Her first professional involvement started by filming the sport activity- ‘Surfing’. Where she recorded video archives for Alan Davis who contributed them to ‘SoulJah’ a documentary produced. She recommends this practice of, ‘Filming Surfing’, to any one who is practicing ‘How to Film’. She states “It is the method by following a moving object and keeping it center framed.”

Ricki Manmohan is an artist and has a passion for music. She enjoys attending live concerts. She sees these events, as a, ‘gift in life’, so precious to her, she takes it as an opportunity to share ‘gifted talents’ with others, to keep, via film and audio recordings.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Humming Bird medalist, Dr. Mungal Patasar. Renowned Trinidadian musician of East Indian descent, bridges cultures and generations with the exhilarating music of “Pantar” – his band. That fuses his Classical East Indian sitar and tabla, with the melodious syncopated sound of Caribbean steel drums, mixed with danceable Soca beats, spiced with dashes of Jazz and European Trance and Techno.

Against a background of rising ethnic tension in the region, the master musician struggles to create a new piece of music that fully exemplifies his ideals of unity and harmony across races and generations. To debut this exciting new piece showing the dynamic by 'Breaking Barriers' of the oil-rich Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
As we follow Mungal’s journey from rehearsal to studio to stage, we learn of his many years of early struggle to overcome prejudice against his admirable efforts to fuse East Indian music with the African-derived steel drums and calypso. We also see the richness of Trinidad’s musical heritage as we are exposed to the dexterous musicianship of his multi-ethnic band. We learn of the diverse background of his fellow musicians and the struggles each faced to gain acceptance. We see Mungal’s efforts to incorporate a new generation and new thinking into his music through the interaction of his gifted children, tabla player Prashant and sitar player Sharda. As well the electrifying injection of fresh blood in the band in the form of Lyndon “Stonez” Livingstone – Trinidad’s top remixer and Trance producer. Lyndon’s introduction of cutting-edge technology and hip dance-music styles has pushed the band Pantar further and gained their music a whole new audience.

The artists from 'Pantar the band' are interviewed, explaining their functions in the band performances. Each band member speaks about, what Dr. Patasar and Pantar has taught them through music.

Through flashbacks to earlier concerts at some of Trinidad’s most prestigious and trendy venues, we see first-hand the
impact of the music of Dr. Mungal Patasar & Pantar – the joyous vibes it brings to the people; the power Mungal’s music possesses to break down barriers and unite people.

In 'Breaking Barriers', some interviews are hosted by Machel Montano and Sheldon Blackman. When discussing with Dr. Patasar about his band, 'Pantar', Dr. Patasar also explains his life involvement with the creation of 'SOKAH' Music in our 'World History'.

This documentary shows a presentation of our top local artists featured performing skills ‘Freestyle’ with Dr. Mungal Patasar and Pantar. Machel Montano, the Road March title is among the most prestigious in Trinidad Carnival. The most such titles have gone to the late Lord Kitchener with eleven wins, ahead of Super Blue with ten wins, Machel Montano also with ten wins and the Mighty Sparrow with eight wins. The ‘2017 Road March Champion’, Maximus Dan – MX Prime’. From a ground-breaking Rapso Family History of Artist, Sheldon Blackman. An Urban Alternative Singer Freestyle Composer, Kees Dieffenthaller and Rapso Brother Resistance. Other special guest appearances are done by, The Mighty Chalk Dust and Valentino.

Music Videos with pre recorded CD audio and live audio remix, also including featured legendary songs -

"Roshanti" - Mungal Patasar & Pantar.
"Every Time Ah Pass" Trinidadian Folk Song Remix - Mungal and Prashant Patasar.
"Like Bollywood" Acoustic - Machel Montano and Mungal Patasar.
"Syllabus" on Tabla - Sikhwinder Singh Ramdhari & Prashant Patasar.
"Tendonitis" - Kees Dieffenthaller Freestyle with Pantar.
"Awake" including Remix, "The Ring" - Pantar.
"Dreadlocks" - Mungal Patasar & Pantar.
"Bim" 'A tribute to Andre Tanker' - Pantar.
"Om Shanti Om" by Ras Shori I - Sheldon Blackman and Mungal Patasar.
“Endless Vibrations” - by Ras Short I.
"Anjali" - Mungal Patasar & Pantar.
"Fallen 4 Another", Can You Hear Me Now", Looking For Nadia" I-Man Productions Song Remix - Pantar.
"Dreadlocks" at Roskilde Festival - Pantar.
"Fallen 4 Another" - Brother Resistance Freestyle with Pantar.
"Jah Light" - Maximus Dan Freestyle with Pantar.
"Awake" Dance performance by Marble Ramos - Pantar.

The world is interested in what we have to offer in Trinidad and Tobago. Dr. Mungal Patasar has achieved a significant level through his fusion of various forms of indigenous music. This documentary will be providing a never-before seen glimpse documented on our cultural icons of this great musician including rare behind-the-scenes action and concert footage. This product has the potential togged the focus of a great deal of international and regional attention on Dr. Patasar, with the wealth of our diverse culture in Trinidad and Tobago. It will also underscore the need for the industry to create a body of work documenting the richness of our cultural icons.

This documentary was shown at Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival 2012. Breaking Barriers did not compete in Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival 2012. I was partially sponsored by TTFC, former committiee members.