Kudrat Rangibirangi by Kumarprasad Mukhopadhyay [Hardcover]

The flow of Indian classical music is as complex as the courses of our rivers. With its roots, branches, multiple schools, creators, carriers, teacher-student lineages, raga forms, shruti, smriti, ascending and descending scales, dominant, sub-dominant, and other terms, the concept can seem daunting. However, music is an art that touches the heart in gatherings. If this festive spirit is infused into the history of music, even the driest details can become lively. The book is rich in facts and theories but written in an engaging style. It narrates the history and characteristics of the century's greatest artists and their schools, comparing different styles and analyzing the subtle differences in ragas that change with slight variations. The writing is so captivating that even those unfamiliar with music won't be able to put it down once they start reading. This unique quality comes from the author's style, Kumarprasad Mukhopadhyay, inherited from his family's legacy. He is a renowned artist and a successor of a distinguished musical lineage. Since childhood, he has listened to many maestros and is also an erudite reader and an exceptional teacher. These qualities come together in this work, making it a blend of history and in-depth discussion of classical music.

Mukhopadhyay's writing turns even scholarly topics into engaging narratives, just like music itself. The legendary artists of classical music lived colorful and eventful lives, often being temperamental and stubborn. Their life stories are equally captivating and can be found scattered across various places, preserved in the memories of their disciples. Kumarprasad Mukhopadhyay himself is a knowledgeable musician, and his father, Dwarjatiprasad Mukhopadhyay, was a renowned connoisseur and critic of classical music. Kumarprasad has been nurtured in a musical environment, and with his own experiences and rich writing, he has created a book that is both a historical and an insightful discussion of classical music.