The first season was directed by Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy, an ad filmmaker and frontman of the Mumbai Hardcore band, Scribe. The first five episodes also involved UK filmmakers, Fred and Nick. The show is hosted by actor-singer Monica Dogra. The theme music of The Dewarists was written by Raghu Dixit.
In 2013, for the launch of a new season of The Dewarists, the creators of the program altered the format of the show to move away from music-inspired journeys and expanded it to include collaborations between musicians and visual artists from India and around the world. Directed by independent film-maker, Srinivas Sunderrajan, the show was broadcast on MTV India in its new format that merges the visual arts with sound to create a multi-sensory experience. The show was also the first collaborative experience to be simulcast on television and on YouTube. Singer Monica Dogra returned as hostess, and also one of the collaborators on the season premiere of The Dewarists season 3.
The episode features the emotive acoustics of British singer-songwriter Fin Greenall and the soulful voice of Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan from Pakistan. They experience Mumbai through the eyes of their hosts Salim-Sulaiman, the prolific Bollywood composer duo.
Episode 2 – Tom, Dick & Harry
This episode is on a powerful droll satire penned by the outspoken English rapper, teacher, poet and journalist, Akala, and the equally versatile Piyush Mishra. This episode is shot in the Andaman and Nicobar islands.
Episode 3 – Today
This episode features Shaa'ir + Func and La Pongal. They create a high octane folktronica. This episode was shot in Chennai.
Episode 4 – Make Love
This episode features Thermal and a Quarter, Adil & Vasundhara, with their bluesy rhythms and Ashwin Srinivasan on flutes. This episode was shot at Bangalore.
Episode 5 – Gypsy
This episode features Anoushka Shankar on sitar, Sanjeev Shankar on shehnai, and Pirashanna Thevarajah on percussion. This episode was filmed in New Delhi.
Episode 6 – Altitude
This episode features the fusion band Advaita and Electronica artist Dualist Inquiry. This episode was shot in Shimla.
Episode 7 – Qutub Minar
The song tells a (fictional) story of a man who decides to relocate the monument of Qutub Minar from Delhi to Imphal. It features singer and songwriter Akhu, who collaborates with the Asian Dub Foundation.
Episode 8 – Bangla Bass
In this episode, American rapper Brooklyn Shanti and Indian actor-musician Mou Sultana create a track with DJ Nucleya about the city Kolkata.
Episode 9 – Maati
In this episode, award-winning percussionist Trilok Gurtu teams up with electronic folk duo Hari + Sukhmani in their hometown of Chandigarh. Maati is an ambient folk song that is set to the poetry of 18th century Sufi poet Bulleh Shah. The song has been given a range of sounds thanks to the percussive genius of Trilok Gurtu.
This episode features Monica Dogra of indie rock outfit, Shaair+Func a photographer and light specialist, Eric Pare, and Prashant Mistry of one of UK's electro bass outfits, Engine-EarZ Experiment. This is the first episode of the new season of The Dewarists and explores the theme of duality. Set in the snow-capped hills of Manali, the music video, Suspended, was a stirring amalgamation of light painting and electronic music.
Episode 2 – Khirama
The second episode of the third season enabled the coming together of indie-pop icon Lucky Ali and renowned installation artist, Shilpa Gupta. Toying with the idea of the loss of identity in a big city like Mumbai, Lucky Ali created the tune he wanted to go with, while Shilpa Gupta worked to write the lyrics. For the final music video, Khirama, Lucky and Shilpa used words as both lyric and art, ultimately giving a whole new meaning to the song produced.
Episode 3 – Aaina
Intrigued by the story behind the creation of the urban jungle that is Mumbai, our collaborators – hand shadowgrapher Amar Sen, and audio-visual collective B.L.O.T., decided to showcase the creations of the island city, ranging from its colonial past to the city of today. Their collaboration, Aaina, uses Amar Sen's shadow work and B.L.O.T.'s light projections to tell the story visually. Suryakant Sawhney, from Peter Car Recording Co., provides vocals to complement the visuals.
Episode 4 – Hadimba
The fertile, grassy slopes of Manali play host to the fourth collaboration of Season Three of The Dewarists. The collaborators are: Lagori, a highly energetic folk fusion band from Bengaluru, and Actor's Cult, a theatre group from Mumbai. The outcome of their collaboration is the high-octane song that inspires awe and fervor.
Episode 5 – Kwamakhutha
Jayachandran Palazhy, founder of the Attakkalari Centre For Movement Arts, and his dance troupe are joined by Delhi-based hind-rock band Euphoria. Set by the tranquil shores of Pondicherry, the collaboration fuses contemporary movement arts with the effortless energy of Euphoria.
Episode 6 – The Journey
The sixth episode on The Dewarists this season looked back upon the collaborations where music and art met to create a multi-sensory experience. Monica Dogra accompanied viewers through the diverse locales where each artist worked to create art that inspired those around it.
Episode 7 – I
The one-hour-long season finale featured a collaboration between India's folk rock collective, The Raghu Dixit Project; a contemporary dance troupe, Nritarutya; mask maker, Sridhar Murthy; and graffiti artist and animator, Harun Robert. Set in Bangalore, the music video produced was a blend of diverse art forms, genres, mediums, and styles.
Season 4 (2015)
Episode 1 – Yaad
'Yaad' the first episode of the fourth season of The Dewarists unfolds with a collaboration of American clarinetist and music composer Shankar Tucker, and gifted vocalist Nirali Kartik. Inspired by one of the subcontinent's greatest Urdu poets: Faiz – whose poetry still speaks to those hoping for love. They try to recreate the words of Faiz in a melodious tribute to both the poet and the poem ‘Kab Yaad Mein Tera'. The track reflects the individual styles of the artists, the mood of the mellifluous raga, and the mysteries of longing and separation.
Episode 2 – Fakiri
In the Second episode of Season Four, we see Vishal Dadlani Collaborating with Neeraj Arya’s Kabir Cafe to create the song ==Fakiri' which is neither betwixt nor between.but the song is inspired by both Kabir’s life, and his poem ‘Lago Mere Yaar Fakiri’, which is about letting go.
Episode 3 – Daiyya Ri
In the third episode of The Dewarists season four, the Raghu Dixit Project and Bindhumalini travel to Rajasthan.They find inspiration from a local poets’ community, Chang, from the Prince of Alsisar Mahal, and Abhimanyu Singh. This inspiration from the local poets and the surreal beauty of Alsisar Mahal leads our Dewarists to do magic with the colorful words of Amir Khusrow, in ‘Daiyya Ri’, a poem written to express his love of his pir.
Episode 4 – O Megh
Kashmir bears witness to the fourth collaboration of this season, where Shantanu Moitra and Papon create a song inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s poem, ‘O Megh’ — a tribute to a child's imagination and his dilemma at leaving his mother behind while he's tempted to go and play with clouds and waves. In Kashmir, they meet local poets who introduce them to local traditions via Bhand Pather's performance. As our Dewarists jam together, the poem takes them back to the memories of the time they spent with their parents back home.
Episode 5 – Recap
From shadowgraphy to installation art, The Dewarists has travelled far from the ordinary to create collaborations that will stay with us forever. This episode will take you back in time to a place where art and poetry complemented the creations of our Dewarists.
Episode 6 – Heer
For the season 4 finale Nucleya and Shruti Pathak travel to the land of the beautiful blue waters, Phuket, Thailand, to find a tune for the words of our Poet Dewarist Waris Shah. Shruti Pathak, best known as the voice behind songs like 'Mar Jawaan' (Fashion), and 'Subharambh' (Kai Po Che), has been on tours all over the country promoting her band 'Guzzler' and launched 'Guzzler' as a radio show. Nucleya redefines Indian electronica by creating a fusion of complex cut up edits and unheard Indian sounds with cutting-edge production and genre-defying rhythms. While they explore the islands, Nucleya comes up with a basic melody and they work further on the track. He is helped by his producer friend, Dub Sharma, to write some lyrics inspired by Heer. Nucleya. They also meet a group of local Thai folk musicians who perform local folk songs that have been sung for years and have been passed on from one generation to another. Nucleya also tries his hand at playing a local Thai instrument, Ranad. The Dewarists discuss the poems of Waris Shah, also popularly known as William Shakespeare of India for his most famous work, Heer Ranjha. Waris Shah's poem is much more than just a love story; it is also about a man's search for, and tenuous relationship with, his creator.
Season 5 (2016)
Episode 1 – Yaad Rakh
Dewar's brings together two compelling artists for the premiere episode of The Dewarists Season Five. Experience their LIVE TRUE voyage as they talk about their past trials and present experiences that have molded them into who they are today. Benny Dayal, the voice behind Bollywood's best chartbusters, has carved his niche in the industry. His passion is so deeply rooted, it drove him to the heights he is at today. Dayal is as recognizable for his Dewarist spirit as he is for his voice. Naezy, like most rappers, experienced an early life battle within his tough childhood, and rough neighborhood. Rap was what he turned to for an escape. His work lives true to its source, as he covers life stories around him with startling and undisguised realism, making him a passionate Dewarist.
Episode 2 – Ikka Dukka
In episode two of The Dewarists, presented by DEWAR'S, we explore the verdant beauty of Ladakh with Clinton Cerejo, Bianca Gomes and Deepak Ramola. The vast mountains and peaceful monasteries inspire them to write Ikka Dukka, a passionate quest for a higher power. Watch as they translate these LIVE TRUE moments into a song that perfectly blends their passion.
Episode 3 – Dil Beparvah
Ankur Tewari and Prateek Kuhad set off on an inspiring journey to the hills of Shillong in episode 3. They create a beautiful masterpiece with Dil Beparvah. It is a song about relentlessly following your heart, no matter how the world perceives your dreams. Their commitment and passion for songwriting, singing and storytelling represent the Dewarist spirit perfectly. Watch their LIVE TRUE journey come alive amidst the beautiful mountains of Shillong which finally lead them to The Dewarists Stage at the Bacardi NH7 Weekender.
Episode 4 – Mitho Laage
In episode four, we take you to the magical palaces of Udaipur, where Dhruv Ghanekar and Mame Khan bring their passion for music alive. Divided by cultures and musical backgrounds, these Dewarists unite to tell you their LIVE TRUE tale with Mitho Laage.
Episode 5 – Memories
Immersed in the beauty and serenity of Hampi, Nucleya and Papon converge on a journey steeped in passion. In episode five, they create a sound that is set in the present and inspired by the echoes of the past. Watch their LIVE TRUE journey weave ancient history and soulful music together with electronic beats in Memories.
Episode 6 – Panchiyaa
In the final episode of The Dewarists this season, watch Amit Trivedi and V Selvaganesh sail through the serene seas of Sri Lanka on a journey to LIVE TRUE with Panchiyaa. While exploring the idea of someone who loves being in love, they set out to create something as pure and soulful as the scenic views around them.
