My Name is Gauhar Jaan!’: The Life and Times of a Musician tries to demystify the myth and mystery around one of the most enigmatic legends in Indian music history – Gauhar Jaan. Vikram Sampath, in this remarkable book, brings forth little known details of this fascinating woman who was known for her melodious voice, her multi- lingual skills, poetic sensibility, irresistible personality and her extravagant lifestyle. From her early days in Azamgarh and Banaras to the glory years in Calcutta when Gauhar ruled the world of Indian music, to her sad fall from grace and end in Mysore, the book takes the reader through the roller-coaster ride of this feisty musician. In the process, the author presents a view of the socio-historical context of Indian music and theatre during that period.
About the Author
Vikram Sampath was born and brought up in Bangalore. After completing his Engineering in Electronics and obtaining a Masters in Mathematics from BITS, Pilani he went on to do an MBA in Finance from S.P.Jain Institute, Mumbai. He has worked in several multinational companies. Currently he is working as a Team leader in a leading software company in Bangalore. ‘My Name is Gauhar Jaan!’: The Life and Times of a Musician is his second work; although very different from his first, Splendours of Royal Mysore: The Untold Story of Wodeyars this book too reveals the same meticulous research and attention to detail. Engagingly presented, it is sure to create a buzz.
