Occasionally, a project comes along that’s simply impossible to turn down, and Turtle Walker was one of those films. I had the privilege of scoring this extraordinary feature length documentary alongside Nainita Desai.
Directed by Taira Malaney, Turtle Walker chronicles the remarkable life of Satish Bhaskar, a pioneering figure in India’s sea turtle conservation efforts. Over seven years of filming, the team captured the incredible journey of Bhaskar’s mission to protect these endangered creatures, and it was an honor to help bring his story to life through music.
Most recently, Turtle Walker was awarded the prestigious Grand Teton Award—along with the title of Best Conservation Film—at the 2024 Jackson Wild Media Awards.
I’m passionate about blending real-world sounds with electronics in my soundtracks, and I initially had the idea of incorporating bells. This concept ended up becoming a central element of the soundtrack, adding a mystical beauty to the music and helping to give the soundtrack a sense of place.
For the soundtrack, I sourced a unique collection of antique brass Indian bells. Good friends of mine had a passion for visiting antique shops across the United States, always on the hunt for these beautiful bells. Thanks to their generosity, I was able to borrow this incredible set to feature in the soundtrack.
I will write more about the soundtrack in a follow up blog once the film is available to view.
Antique brass Indian bells used in Turtle Walker soundtrack
Directed by Taira Malaney
Associate Director & DOP: Krish Makhija
Producers: Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Vikram Malaney, Angad Dev Singh
Executive Producers: Isabelle Couture, James Reed, Sean B Carroll
Music by Nainita Desai & Sheridan Tongue
Sound Design: Ayush Ahuja
Writer & Editor: Sam Rogers
Impact Producer: Jill Ferguson
As of November 2024, Turtle Walker is officially part of several film festivals worldwide. Once I receive details about a release date or availability on streaming platforms and broadcast, I’ll update this webpage and share the news across my social media channels.