The Music Room

The Music Room presents a memoir of Indian classical music training in 1970s Mumbai through the relationship between a young student and her guru, Dhondutai. The narrative follows the author's journey from childhood lessons to adult musicianship under the guidance of one of the last living students of legendary vocalist Kesarbai Kerkar. The book chronicles life in the Bhendi Bazaar gharana, documenting the traditions, hierarchies, and disciplines required to master Hindustani classical singing. Through intimate portraits of musicians and teachers, it captures a musical lineage stretching back generations. The text alternates between personal experiences and historical accounts of Indian classical music's development through the 20th century. Photographs and biographical details of prominent musicians complement the main narrative. This memoir explores themes of devotion, cultural preservation, and the complex bonds between teachers and students in Indian classical arts. The work stands as both a personal coming-of-age story and a record of a musical tradition at risk of fading.

Readers describe The Music Room as an intimate look into Indian classical music through personal narrative. Many emphasize its accessibility for those unfamiliar with Hindustani music traditions. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of musical concepts without technical jargon - Blend of memoir and music history - Portrayal of guru-shishya relationship - Details about Mumbai's music scene in the 1970s and 80s Common criticisms: - Narrative sometimes loses focus - Some parts drag with excessive detail - Limited coverage of actual musical techniques - Abrupt transitions between timelines Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (378 ratings) Amazon India: 4.3/5 (89 ratings) Amazon US: 4.1/5 (22 ratings) Sample reader comment: "The author manages to convey the dedication required in Indian classical music training while keeping the story relatable for non-musicians." - Goodreads reviewer "Could have used tighter editing in the middle sections but captures the essence of learning Indian classical music." - Amazon reviewer

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🎵 Namita Devidayal spent over 30 years learning Indian classical music from the legendary vocalist Dhondutai Kulkarni, one of the last living links to the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. 📚 The book weaves together three generations of musicians: Alladiya Khan (the founder of the Jaipur gharana), Kesarbai Kerkar (his most famous student), and Dhondutai Kulkarni. 🏆 "The Music Room" won the 2008 Vodafone Crossword Popular Book Award for English Non-fiction and was also named one of the best books of the year by The Independent, UK. 🎼 The author, while primarily a journalist with The Times of India, wrote this memoir without any notes or recordings – relying entirely on memory and oral history passed down through her guru. 🌟 The book reveals how Kesarbai Kerkar's voice was selected by NASA to be included in the Voyager Space Time Capsule, representing Indian music among Earth's greatest cultural achievements.