Finely observed, vividly observed, suffused with love and learning, The Secret Master deserves, and shall surely get, a wide readership across regions and generations.

Ramachandra Guha
historian, writer, columnist

The Secret Master courageously calls out the normalised opacity in the business of classical music, asking serious questions about respect and success.

T.M. Krishna
Carnatic singer, writer, activist

At every stage you sense the quiet yet tenacious presence of this writer and committed student of music, her passion and devotion, her painstaking research … An absolute tour de force, this is a must-read for anyone who loves music.

Vidya Rao
thumri singer, writer, editor

Sumana Ramanan pushes the boundaries of literary non-fiction … in a virtuoso performance that redefines what writing about music can achieve. A stunning accomplishment.

Warren Senders
khayal singer, world music expert

With the passion of a rasika, the curiosity of a prize-winning reporter and the fluid story-telling abilities of a novelist, Sumana Ramanan leads the reader on a sonorous journey through the universe of khayal.

Naresh Fernandes
editor of Scroll.in, writer

A revealing, sometimes provocative, and deeply insightful work, it is a significant addition to a rather small body of literature on music.

Ashok Vajpeyi
Hindi poet-critic, arts lover