MY BOOK
The Secret Master: Arun Kashalkar and a Journey to the Edge of Music
GENRES: Literary non-fiction, contemporary history, immersive journalism, ethnography. Combines the sub-genres of biography; memoir blended with cultural criticism, reportage and some investigative journalism; history; aesthetics; and a bit of poetry.
STORY: This is a musical detective story with a three-stranded narrative: it is a biography of a hidden gem of a singer specialising in khayal, the most widespread north Indian art music genre; a memoir of my journey through a vibrant fringe culture to which he belongs; and a guide to the aesthetics of this genre. Woven throughout into the three strands is a history of khayal, including the evolution of its political economy and patronage, performing and listening cultures, social context and stylistic traditions.
PUBLISHER: The book has been published by Context, Westland Books’ literary imprint for, in its own words, ‘serious, thoughtful and politically-engaged’ fiction and non-fiction. ‘Lively and polemical, and always reaching for nuance, these are books that challenge the status quo while giving voice to a range of opinions and some literary adventurism,’ the publisher said while launching this imprint in 2018.
The book is available at leading booksellers, including here.
Scroll down for more details about the book, including …
- Excerpts from the responses of eminent early readers.
- Excerpts from reviews of the book so far and links to them.
- Excerpts from interviews and inclusion in book lists.
- Links to short films offering glimpses into the book.
- For an even deeper dive into the book, follow a link to a page containing:
a) A detailed description of the book’s form and content
b) Links to more pages with exciting additional features, such as
i. Recordings.
ii. Images.
iii. Original Marathi poems whose English translations appear in the book.
iv. Stories that did not make the final edit.
v. Links to video recordings of launches and discussions of the book.
Note: I will regularly add to these over the first quarter of 2026.
1. Excerpts from the responses of eminent early readers, the full versions of which appear in the book:
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
2. Excerpts from reviews so far:
‘Ramanan constructs a portrait that extends beyond the individual to illuminate the wider world of khayal…[She] captures his artistry with an admirable balance of detail and clarity.’
From ‘Beyond the Spotlight’
https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/leisure/story/20260202-beyond-the-spotlight-the-secret-master-by-sumana-ramanan-2856906-2026-01-24
Nikhil Sardana, India Today, 24 January 2025
… what may be one of the most evocative portraits of a musician in recent memory… The Secret Master is an exquisitely crafted, deeply felt work – part investigation, part homage, part cultural history. For lovers of Hindustani classical music and for readers who cherish narratives of hidden brilliance, this book is a rare and rewarding experience.
https://epaper.dumanimail.in/epaper/edition/1820/dumani-khabar-e-paper%09
From ‘Narrative of a Hidden Brilliance’
by Bhaskar Pariccha, Dumani Mail, 23 November 2025
… an expansive voyage to a unique musical universe … The book draws you in with its “emotional charge”… Probably the most evocative segments are descriptions of the author attending music classes held in the Guru’s residence … The discourse broadens to deep discussions about the Hindustani music tradition … The author’s journalistic prowess is evident as she gives us deep insights into this rich world.
https://www.deccanherald.com/features/books/the-secret-master-is-a-musical-detour-3805705
From ‘The Secret Master is a musical detour’,
by Sadhana Rao, Deccan Herald, 23 November 2025
Meticulously researched, beautifully articulated …
From ‘Arun Kashalkar and the Wondrous World of Khayals’,
by Shailaja Khanna, Deccan Chronicle, 15 November, 2025
Kashalkar’s life story is fascinating, and Ramanan captures it in vivid detail …Ramanan narrates Kashalkar’s story in a fascinating manner, trying to ensure one learns other things in the process.
From ‘A student’s masterstroke’,
by Narendra Kusnur, The Tribune, 2 November 2025
3. Interviews, excerpts and inclusion in book lists:
‘Sumana Ramanan’s ‘The Secret Master’ Peeks Into A Hidden Maestro’s Life
On a winter evening in 2016, Sumana Ramanan walked into a small music gathering in South Mumbai and was stunned by the khayal singing of a quiet man in his seventies, Arun Kashalkar. Although she had studied the form, followed concerts, and written about Hindustani classical music for years, she had never heard him before. That surprise pushed her to investigate how such a remarkable artist could remain largely unknown within a city that has long been central to the tradition.Ramanan’s book,The Secret Master: Arun Kashalkar and a Journey to the Edge of Music, follows her search for Kashalkar’s story and the world around him: an informal, often overlooked community of musicians who keep khayal alive in its most inventive form. As Ramanan studies with him, she confronts the intricacy of his style and the broader questions it raises about mainstream visibility, musical lineage, and the quiet persistence of an underground culture.
Introduction to an excerpt on www.shethepeople.tv, 20 January 2026
https://www.shethepeople.tv/books/sumana-ramanan-the-secret-master-11015949
10 Thought-Provoking Books To Read Before The End Of 2025:
List curated by Swati Chaturvedi, News18.com, 22 December 2025
The Secret Master is a lyrical musical detective story and a heartfelt tribute to khayal, the imagination-driven core of Hindustani classical music. Set in motion by a chance encounter with a little-known yet extraordinary maestro, Arun Kashalkar, the book explores his life on the fringes of the mainstream and the vibrant underground culture that keeps khayal alive. Through personal immersion, history, and aesthetic inquiry, Ramanan examines the art, discipline, and spirit of khayal while questioning how musical greatness is recognised and overlooked in contemporary India.
‘The invisible musical culture of Mulund and Dombivli explored in this new book‘
Writer Sumana Ramanan’s The Secret Master explores the life of Hindustani classical great Arun Kashalkar, uncovering Mumbai’s hidden music culture across suburbs like Mulund and Dombivli.
Interview with Shriram Iyengar, Mid-Day, 20 December 2025
‘Sumana Ramanan’s The secret master: Arun Kashalkar and a journey to the edge of music‘
Books blog: mogadalai.wordpress.com
There are several strands to the book. Sometimes the transitions between the different strands are not very smooth. Having said that, this is an excellent read and strongly recommended!!
https://mogadalai.wordpress.com/2025/11/22/sumana-ramanans-the-secret-master-arun-kashalkar-and-a-journey-to-the-edge-of-music/
‘This week’s pick of interesting reads …’
Manjula Narayan, Editor of Books page at Hindustan Times,
https://x.com/utterflea/status/1987062633909133805
8 November 2025
4. Glimpses into The Secret Master:
with The Secret Master.