Author: Namita Devidayal
Publisher: Random House India
Year: 2013
Language: English
Pages: 310
ISBN/UPC (if available): 9788184000542
Description
When Namita is ten, her mother takes her to Dhondutai, a respected singing teacher from the Jaipur Gharana. Dhondutai has dedicated herself to music and her antecedents are rich. She is the only remaining student of the legendary Alladiya Khan, the founder of the gharana, and of its most famous singer, the tempestuous Kesarbai.
Namita beings to learns singing from Dhondutai, at first reluctantly and then, as the years pass, with growing passion. Dhondutai sees in her a second Kesar – but does Namita have the dedication to give herself up completely to music, or will there always be too many late nights and cigarettes?
COMMENTS
‘Fantastic! A must for every musician and music Lover!’
-Pandit Ravi Shankar
‘’Unquestionably one of the best books of 2007.’
-Sunil Sethi, Just Books NDTV
“Gives us a unique insight into the guru-shishya tradition, and what eventually goes into the making of great artists.’
-Sonia Gandhi
‘Compelling…the reader is drawn into [the] fascinating world of alaps, ragas and riyaaz.’
-The Hindu
‘Excellent…The Music Room weaves tales together with the sophisticated whim of a khayal singer.’
-The Telegraph
‘There has been an aching void waiting to be filled with the story of Indian sound. Namita Devidayal has now done it…an outstanding debut.’
-India Today
Contents
PROLOGUE
Bhairavi
PART ONE
Kennedy Bridge
PART TWO
Shivaji Park
PART THREE
The Khanasahibs
PART FOUR
Kesarbai
PART FIVE
Kolhapur
EPILOGUE
Borivli