When I received the book "Looking for Miss Sargam- Stories of Music and Misadventure" written by Shubha Mudgal for writing a review for the online publication "Muse India", I was happy for the opportunity to read content that is different from the usual. After all it is not often that you get to read inside stories set in the world of classical music in India. I was also curious and trifle excited to know how a celebrated personality in the field of music would fare as a writer. The seven short stories included in the book traces the life and times of musicians who lived in the earlier times (say 50s and 60s) to the present times, their motivations and challenges.
The world of cinema which was once mysterious has been demystified
over the years with reportage/ gossip and actors coming more and more in the
public eye in the form of interviews, promotions, being featured on
multiple television channels and the internet. The lives of those in the world
of music, however, particularly of the classical genre has largely remained
obscure. This, then is the USP of the book "Looking for Miss Sargam"
which gives us insights into the lives of musicians that comprises not only of
the hard work, glitz and fame but the anxieties, desires, excitement and
frustrations encountered by any human being. The fact that they live in the
same world as we do, exposes them to the same 'matlabi' (Selfish) environment,
sometimes having to deal with even scammers.
All the seven stories have been told in a very engaging manner by
the author, a renowned musician herself and one who has had a ring side view of
the life unfolding in the Hindustani classical music scene. I would not like to
be a spoiler and reveal too many details of the stories. Suffice it to say,
that they are informative and retains the interest and suspense of the
reader till the end.
The first story “Aman Bol” gives us a peek into the business
/promotion side of the music industry involving stage shows and the egos of
artists that have to be contented with by organisors. “Foreign returned” calls attention to the
craze of musicians to perform in foreign countries and how that can sometimes
lead to unpleasant situations. In “Taan Kaptaan”, one gets to know of shady
characters who may be lurking out there with an eye on a quick buck.
Being from a corporate background, I particularly could relate to
the proceedings in the story “A farewell to music" that discusses the
heated interactions in the board meeting of a music company. It also throws
light on the fact that in India parents who seemingly have the best interests
of their children at heart, often stifle and interfere with their happiness
when it comes to a career choice.
“Manzoor Rehmati” tells a story of an artiste who is obsessed with
the desire for formal national recognition and how he has to pay a heavy price
for it. In the “Man who made stars” we get to see the lure of the film industry
for musicians and how it can be attempted to be exploited by the powerful in
the industry.
The anxiety and pain of being denied credit for one’s musical contribution
is beautifully brought out in the story
“At the feet of his master” We have heard of so many instances in the film
industry wherein praise is lapped by a celebrity while the actual contributor does not find a place
in the credits.
Shubha Mudgal 's style of writing is free flowing, She uses quite
a bit of the appropriate regional language ( with translation of the dialogue
in English ) to provide an authentic flavour. The stories reveal the
demands, trials and tribulations faced by musicians including recent ones, such
as the interference by the self proclaimed 'Sanskaris'- "Protectors
of culture" or moral police who attack and stop release of a song or album
if they don't like the lyrics.
Although written in a lighthearted manner, the stories divulge chords
of an inner pain that tell you that the music world is not all 'glitter'.
Perhaps, one misses a goody goody story in the collection that leaves you with
only a pleasant feeling about music. But then, stories become interesting when
there is conflict and drama. The author has ensured that sufficient dozes of
both are present in all her seven stories.
In a tongue in cheek
manner, Shubha Mudgal has titled the book "Looking for Miss Sargam"
hinting at the distractions from pure music these days, with 'Miss
Sargam", the seven notes remaining elusive and the need to search for and
find her.
Author: Shubha Mudgal
Publisher: Speaking Tiger
ISBN: 978-93-88874-88-5
PP: 205
Price: Rs 499
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