The Music Makers | Book Review

Review of Rohini Pranjpe Sathe’s novel - The Music Makers 

  

Padma Bhushan Pandit Sadashiv Buwa Shrotri, a celebrated Hindustani classical vocalist, broods about the future, his own and that of his esoteric art. As he ages, questions of legacy and continuity weigh heavily on his mind, especially in a world where classical traditions are increasingly pushed to the margins. His wife’s nephew, Kartik, drawn irresistibly to the ragas, defies his father’s ban on music. And one evening he disappears mysteriously. The event shakes both families to the core, dragging past wounds and unspoken tensions back into the light. The estranged families are thrown together again, and troubling secrets emerge – patriarchal control, violence, jealousy and a headstrong obstinacy that had once silenced another musical career. Old grudges resurface as the battle between tradition and personal freedom plays out with renewed intensity. 

Will Kartik return? Can his mother and aunt heal their deep-rooted rifts? And will Buwa’s legacy ensure the survival of his art beyond his own lifetime? 

The Music Makers delves into the passions, frustrations and sacrifices that both bind and tear apart those possessed by the eternal lure of music, weaving a rich narrative of devotion, rebellion, and redemption.

Rohini Sathe’s The Music Makers is a beautiful book that talks about music, musicians and those who dedicate their entire lives to it.

At its core, it tells the story of a family held together and pulled apart by melody, ambition, silence, and old wounds. Three siblings stand at the centre of the narrative, tied by affection, rivalry, and years of things left unsaid, and of course, Music.

Sumati, the eldest, is married to the well-known classical singer Pandit Sadashiv Buwa Shrotri. Her life revolves around his art and reputation. The bond with her sister Vibhawari, has long been strained. Vibha endures a painful marriage with a controlling husband. Her son Kartik has a natural gift and a deep love for music, but he is not allowed to follow it. The youngest sibling, Ashok, has settled in the United States and remains distant in more ways than one.

When Kartik suddenly disappears, the family is forced to come together. The search for him brings hidden truths to the surface. Old guilt, quiet suffering, and long-suppressed anger begin to spill out. Vibha carries the weight of having stayed silent for too long. Sumati lives with a different kind of emptiness. The ageing maestro reflects on growing older, on relevance, and on what will remain after him.

The novel looks closely at the pressures placed on women, the cost of compromise, and the marks left by years of endurance. It speaks of defiance, forgiveness, and the struggle between personal desire and social expectation.

The writing is good and drew me in right from the first page.  The author’s understanding of Indian classical music adds depth to the story. The book begins with a list explaining musical terms, which is especially helpful for readers who may not be familiar with them. Music and home life move side by side in the narrative. Some scenes are emotionally intense and may feel heavy, but they do not overpower the story.

There are stretches of deep reflection where characters dwell on their thoughts for pages at a time. These moments offer insight; They bring in emotional clarity, which is valuable to the storyline.

Music remains a steady thread with family conflicts weaving through it. The descriptions of choosing ragas, long hours of practice, and live performances are vividly brought before the reader. The book shows that singing is not simply about voice. It is about surrendering to sound, rhythm, and meaning until the music becomes part of one’s being. The devotion the characters feel toward their art is evident.

The point of view shifts between characters and timelines, yet the flow remains smooth. The story proceeds in a reflective tone due to the explanation and its more than dramatic display. I liked the ending.

As someone involved in music, I found many moments deeply familiar. Buwa’s feelings as he prepares to go on stage, his reflections on how artistes ought to be respected by organisers, and the casual way society dismisses music as a “real” profession all felt strikingly true to life.

The emotional layers were portrayed with great care. A mother’s desperation while searching for her missing child, a performer’s inner debate over which raga to present, Vibha’s breaking point under her husband’s behaviour, and the inner turmoil of both Karthik and Sumati were all written with sensitivity and depth.

In all, this is a layered family story where music binds everything together. It is tender, intense, and quietly moving.

 

Pick it up if you are looking for a read that blends family relationships with the soul of music and explores human emotions, quiet strength, and the emotional cost of choices made in the name of love, duty, or passion.

Rohini Paranjpe Sathe trained to be an economist but soon returned to the pursuit of Hindustani classical music (vocal). A brief hiatus in her music training turned her towards her other creative expression, writing. She blogs (www.rohiniparanjpesathe.com) and writes fiction. The Music Makers is her third published book.

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