Allahabad, early twentieth century. The British rule across India, but Awadhi culture is thriving. Here in Allahabad, where singers, musicians and poets assemble, a star arises. Janki Bai Illahabadi enthrals listeners wherever she performs, and counts as her fans maharajas and maharanis, poets and judges, nawabs and government officials, and the entire city. She is Janki Chhappan Chhuri, Janki of the Fifty-six Knives. Attacked in her youth, she survives miraculously. Brought up in a nautch house, her voice takes her to palaces and royal durbars. From penury, she rises to become the queen of Allahabad-a living legend with a voice that moves millions.

Based on the real-life story of Hindustani singer Janki Bai Illahabadi (1880-1934), Requiem in Raga Janki tells the story of one of Indias unknown gems. Moving from Hindustani classical musics earliest times to the age of the gramophones, from Tansens mysticism to Hassu Khans stringent opposition of recordings, this is a novel that brings Janki Bais world to life. Using translations of her songs from Diwan-e-Janki, her only collected volume, this beautifully rendered novel moves across time to tell the story of Hindustani music through the life of one of its most gifted performers.

About the Author: Neelum Saran Gour
Neelum Saran Gour is the author of Grey Pigeon and Other Stories, Speaking of 62, Winter Companions and Other Stories, Virtual Realities, SikandarChowk Park and Song without End and Other Stories. She works as professor of English at the University of Allahabad.