Requiem in Raga Janki  (English, Hardcover, Saran Gour Neelum)

About the Book

Requiem in Raga Janki is set in Allahabad. It’s the early twentieth century and the British rule is still prevalent. This does not prevent the Avadhi culture from thriving. In this city rich in its count of singers, musicians, and poets, a star emerges. She’s Janki Bai Ilahabadi. She enthrals listeners with her performances, with maharajas and maharanis, poets and judges, nawabs and government officials accounted for in her fans list. This is a woman who has miraculously survived a knife attack in her youth. Her talents take her from her nautch house to grand palaces and royal durbars. Based on a real-life story, this book throws light on one of India’s unknown gems.

About the Author

Neelum Saran Gour is an Indian author. She has written five novels, four short story collections, and one non-fiction work. Neelum was born in Allahabad. She majored in history, philosophy, and english literature from the University of Allahabad. She also worked as a lecturer in English at the Allahabad University since 1977. Most of her initial writings were published in popular Indian literary magazines in the 1980s. Some of her popular works include Grey Pigeon and Other Stories, Speaking of ‘62, Winter Companions and Other Stories, Sikandar Chowk Park, and Messres Dickens. Her latest novel, Requiem in Raga Janaki, was published in 2018.