Finding the Raga

**WINNER OF THE JAMES TAIT BLACK PRIZE**





'A splendid book.' Literary Review



'A modern masterpiece.' New York Journal of Books





Finding the Raga is Amit Chaudhuri's revelatory exploration of North Indian classical music: an ancient, evolving tradition whose principles and practises will alter the reader's notion of what music might - and can - be.





Through essay, memoir and cultural study, Chaudhuri dwells on the music's most distinctive and mysterious characteristics, resulting in a gift of a book for musicians and music lovers, and for any creative mind in search of diverse and transforming inspiration.



'Supple, intricate and uncompromising, full of delicate observation and insight.' -Geoff Dyer

'[A] compelling meditation on Indian and Western art-making.' The New Yorker



Amit Chaudhuri is the award-winning author of seven novels, including Friend of My Youth, as well as three books of essays, two of poems, and a collection of short stories. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. He is a recorded performer in the Indian classical vocal tradition, a composer of experimental works, and was once a guitarist and songwriter in the American folk music style. Chaudhuri has performed at the Vortex, the London Jazz Festival, and Queen Elizabeth Hall and has given lecture-performances on his music at Columbia and Duke University. He is regularly featured on the radio and his version of 'Summertime' was featured on the BBC 4 documentary, Gershwin's Summertime: the Song that Conquered the World.



A revelatory and very personal exploration of Indian classical music from 'one of his generation's best writers' (Guardian).