"Mandala" was composed as part of the soundtrack for the Red Buddha Theatre, a touring ensemble Yamash'ta led through Europe and London in the early 1970s.
The title "Mandala" refers to the Buddhist symbol of the universe. True to this, the music appeals to archaic sensibilities of silence and duration , reminiscent of Shintoist court music or Buddhist ritual. 3. Critical and Artistic Impact
The track’s "churning Krautish mantra" quality led director Nicolas Roeg to feature it prominently in The Man Who Fell to Earth , where it underscores the alien and transcendental themes of the narrative. 2. Musical Structure and Style
Yamash'ta utilizes a vast array of percussion, including struck metal, skin resonance, and tuned percussion, often blending these with synthesizers to create a "hazy soup" of sound.
Synthesis of East and West: An Analysis of Stomu Yamash'ta’s "Mandala"
The Man from the East (1973), released on Island Records .
