Report by Rashmi r Parida; New Delhi: Acclaimed director Nila Madhab Panda's Jalpari: The Desert Mermaid to be release on August 31. Film critics expect Jalpari is all set to open a new chapter in children's film. The film, an adventure thriller, based on the extremely pertinent and worrying issue of female foeticide is expected to appeal both adults and children too. Interestingly, the film has already received wide recognition in the international film festivals. 

Midival Punditz, Piyush Mishra and Shubha Mudgal shine in the soundtrack of this much-awaited film of Panda. Having wowed audiences at festivals and screenings abroad, Jalpari now brings you the music of the film which is an integral part of the film.

Jalpari is the second directorial venture of Panda, who had made the critically acclaimed and multiple-award-winning I Am Kalam, which won hearts across the world in 2010.
This one revolves around the journey of 10-year-old Shreya through the unseen evils of our culture and society, as the city girl explores rural life for the first time with her brother Sam. The film stars Parvin Dabas, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Suhasini Mulay and Harsh Mayar (I Am Kalam boy wonder) and introducing Lehar Khan and Krishang Trivedi.

The soundtrack of Jalpari has been conceived to go with the mood and nature of the film. Internationally acclaimed, Indian electronica pioneers Midival Punditz, are very particular about the kind of projects they work on, and choose films that both inspire them and also enable them to expand their sonic vocabulary.  For Jalapari, they’ve composed the stunning track 'Neeli Neeli Geeli Geeli Si Duniya', sung by Shubha Mudgal and Azam Ali. Although the sound is trademark Punditz with their electronic groove, the music is beautifully rustic and Mudgal's stunning rendition does the rest.

"It was a privilege to work on a film like Jalpari and we have tried to be true to the film while also infusing the music with our signature Punditz style," says Tapan Raj of Midival Punditz.

The incredibly talented Piyush Mishra writes, composes and sings Bargat Ke Pedo Pe Shakhe Purani, which is almost like the Jalpari anthem given its haunting strains and the pangs of nostalgia. "Bargat is straight from the heart and is like a musical jaunt down memory lane," says Mishra

Also featuring on the Jalpari soundtrack is Hath Me Thari Saaje Chuda which has music and lyrics by Ashish Chauhan and has been sung by Rinku and Kunal Wason.

"Music is the essence of this film and it’s a part of the story. The first track-Mermaid takes you to a fantasy land of mermaids and sets off the journey of the girl who has landed in a deserted place. There is also an amazing song by Piyush Mishra which takes you back to your own childhood. It was always my dream to have a song by Piyush bhai. And the third one is an interesting Haryanavi contemporary folk song. Each track takes you forward to a different dimension of the story. I think Midival Punditz are the best new age music group and they give a fresh and new outlook to music altogether in the present times. “says director Nila Madhab Panda.