Annapurna by Swapan Kumar Bandyopadhyay [Hardcover]

Annapurna, daughter of the legendary music maestro Alauddin Khan and the first wife of Pandit Ravi Shankar, now lives a life of secluded mystery. Within a self-imposed iron-clad enclosure, she remains an enigma, surrounded by endless curiosity and questions from music lovers and admirers. Annapurna has chosen voluntary exile, yet she continues to immerse herself in dedicated practice. Her artistic touch constantly brings to life a rare musical instrument called the surbahar.

This remarkable book revolves around Annapurna, the meditative figure of the surbahar. However, it is not a conventional biography. Rather, it can be described as an "imaginative reconstruction" of Annapurna's lost past and present life. The author searches for the Annapurna whose life is marked by intense longing on one side and unwavering resolve on the other. Inevitably, Ravi Shankar appears in the narrative. The author paints a colorful picture of their early youth during the days in Maihar, illustrating how two hearts blossomed through companionship, solitude, pain, and music.

The book gradually reveals the harmonious blend of music and life, like the light of dawn. The author delves deep into the untold story of Annapurna's life after her inevitable separation from Ravi Shankar. In sum, this book crafts a complete and comprehensive biography of Annapurna after all these years.