Korla Pandit by John Turner & Christensen

For more, see korlathemovie.com or the Kickstarter campaign we ran in summer 2014 (www.kickstarter.com/projects/....
As Korla Pandit stared into the studio cameras of Los Angeles TV Station KTLA and mesmerized audiences while playing Indian-inspired compositions and popular tunes of the day on the newly introduced Hammond organ, he never spoke a word. While his intense and charismatic gaze captivated audiences in the 1950’s, the story behind those hypnotic eyes, told in KORLA, proves to be one of the more compelling tales in the history of show business. From the documentary Korla by John Turner & Eric Christensen.

[@synchro505]

My mom took me to see him when I was a young kid in LA during the late 70s. It was truly as if I had witnessed musician play from another world. His abilities were boundless. At the time, Korla Pandit was into Wurlitzer theater organs with added orchestral percussion (which were mounted on the wall of the small venue at which we attended). He would say uplifting spiritual messages to the "congregation" after each selection (the venue did have a church-like atmosphere). My mom was absolutely swooning which I had never seen her do before. She got his autograph on an album afterward and was elated. It was like no other experience I'd ever had before nor since.

[@sanchildone]

I met him. I was able to have an album autographed by him in 1986.

[@jordanrioscreations]

This guy was a genius for sure.

[@bonniejames3570]

I was raised listening to his music & like it. Have a signed picture my mother received from him at one of the shows she saw him at. I cherish this picture of him as it reminds me of my mother.

[@derethmontero4446]

I loved him then and I love him now! He was a gifted artist and his music was beautiful.

[@Dive-Bar-Casanova]

Korla was HUGE in his day. Catchy tunes talented performer. Great act. Loved by everyone.

[@johnny-cc4in]

Very talented and fascinating to watch. Interesting back story...

[@touchyourtaffytoes]

I just watched Korla on my local PBS station. Wish I had learned about him a long time ago.

[@jeanpresley1220]

i just saw that too!!i remember hearing his music as a kid .it was great steal love it !!

[@robertvasquez3840]

Wow! Interesting story!

[@Jenjen-qc5eq]

He should be referred to and celebrated by his correct name, John Roland Redd.

[@Bixfan78]

Is it possible to buy a DVD or Blu-ray of this film? I've seen it a couple of times on PBS, and it is wonderful; I'd love to have a copy to watch whenever I want. Thank you for your research and for telling this remarkable story so very well.

[@cynicalgents13]

A musical genius... He also knew how to work a camera.

[@craigbrowning9448]

I determinately want to know when this comes out.

[@garyfrancis6193]

I never heard of this guy before.

[@joannavaldezsierrahs3648]

Where can I watch the documentary?

[@3boysdesign]

Also looking for how to watch the documentary!

[@machinenkanone9358]

He's from St. Louis

[@globaldenny]

Is this film available online? I really want to see it!

[@flylooper]

Born in New Delhi, eh? New Delhi, Mississippi?

[@mikelandreth8773]

What town in Mo is he from ? Thank You.

[@reneeford8937]

St. Louis. I am a relative as well. @TheReddPerkins

[@brianbyczek3042]

he wasn't from India.....he was african american from the u.s.a.

[@mikedemike5393]

hE WAS NOT iNDIAN...HE WAS A LIGHT AFRICAN AMERICA..

[@SmilinJackAccordion]

The idea that LIBERACE stole anything from KORLA is absurd ... Korla came first, yes ... he played to the camera, yes. The director of The Liberace Show discouraged Lee from playing to the camera ... Lee refused. Did he see Korla do this ... perhaps. In fact ... Liberace PERFECTED this technique. Liberace NEVER mistakenly made "eye contact" with the "wrong" camera ... Korla did. The idea that Korla should use the "silent treatment" ... was a BIG MISTAKE. It suggested he was "mysterious", yes, but the audience could not feel they "knew him" the way Liberace's fans did. Half of Liberace's appeal was the habit of SPEAKING to the audience via the camera. Liberace's SHOWMANSHIP and CHARISMA was more pronounced, and played VERY WELL on camera. Liberace's repertoire was more varied, and he was able to deliver a wider range of emotions, each episode, as a result. He played with a serious face when the music called for it, and he bounced on the bench with a BIG SMILE when the music called for it too ! Liberace was FAMOUS for a reason ... he was authentic. He played his GAME ... HIS way. These two unique individuals cannot be COMPARED ...

[@StefanKirby]

Making eye contact with the "wrong" camera is not the performer's issue, it's the director & editor's issue. All cameras are rolling during the performance. The performer doesn't decide when to cut from one camera feed to another.

[@nola305]

@@StefanKirby EXACTLY!

[@henseleric]

Liberace was white...just like Elvis, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

[@kenkendal3143]

Korla Pandit>>>Liberace...imo

[@SmilinJackAccordion]

@kahlildopeboi dopeboimagic lITTLE RICHARD did not have his own TV series ...

[@amhunter9619]

50s America - no wonder he pretended he was from India, let's face it, Sammy Davis Jnr was headlining in Vegas then - and having to room in an out-of-town boarding house because as a black man he wasn't allowed in any of Vegas's posh hotels! Doesn't say much for brotherly love, does it?

[@Amar7605]

I understand why he did what he did, but as an Indian, I still see it as cultural appropriation.

[@ElectrologyNow]

Who gets to invent themselves? Answer: all of us ... some better than others! More recently a similar story of Raj Morani (fake Indian ... Black American) who scammed a bunch of people, including former Los Angeles Mayor Sam Yorty. (I knew Raj when he lived in Santa Barbara .... If you're still alive, Raj, give me a call!)

[@gordonbennett5638]

cough.....cultural appropriation.......cough......