Rhythm of Dammam explores the unique cultural identity and struggles of the Siddi community in India, descendants of Bantu peoples from Southeast Africa who were brought to the subcontinent as captives.
The narrative centers on twelve-year-old Jayaram Siddi, who grapples with the haunting presence of his late grandfather's spirit. As Jayaram's grip on reality falters, his family turns to traditional tribal rituals and the spiritual power of Dammam music. This journey into their ancestral practices highlights the community's resilience in the face of centuries of discrimination and their efforts to confront intergenerational trauma.
The film offers valuable insights into the cultural heritage of the Siddi people, showcasing how their unique devotional music provides a strong sense of identity and a pathway to healing.
USA/India, 2024, 92 mins, drama in Kannada, Urdu (with English subtitles), Jayan Cherian, dir.
"Jayan Cherian's film blends realism with surrealism to produce a strikingly vivid image of the Siddi community's intergenerational trauma." ~ The News Minute
“A mesmeric journey through the Siddis’ past and present.” ~ Swaroop Kodur, The News Minute
“An exceptionally evocative, visually arresting film … Hitting all the right notes.” ~ Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV
“A beautiful attempt in surreal documentation of a marginalized community.”~ Amartya Acharya, High On Films
