The Call of Music (Paperback)

The world of Hindustani music today extends far beyond the shimmering, sari-clad virtuosos gracing corporate-sponsored festivals. It is shaped by individuals tucked away in Chandigarh and Boston, by collectors of rare compositions and victims of gender bias, by stock traders-by-day and composers-by-night. It is sustained by feminists working within traditional frameworks and activists channelling their convictions through melody.

The grand narrative of Hindustani music often revolves around its celebrated maestros – those who command the spotlight and shape tradition from centre stage. But beyond these luminaries exists a vast, often overlooked world of artists, students and visionaries who have dedicated their lives to this art form without much recognition. And away from the spotlight of social media and mainstream adulation, their work quietly nurtures music’s evolution. Through their journeys, a richer, more complete portrait of contemporary Hindustani music emerges in Priya Purushothaman’s culture-defining work that honours both the art form’s storied past and its ever-unfolding future