Tuning into pain: How Begum Akhtar channeled her struggles into art

Book review of Akhtari: The Life and Music of Begum Akhtar

With the news cycle churning out horri­fic images of people succumbing to Covid-19, it has been difficult to catch a br­eath on most days. I have, on a few oc­c­asions, tried calming myself with music. It dawned on me that listening to Begum Akhtar (1914-1974) can do wonders for the heart. The famous ghazal singer of yore app­ears to have had this effect on many before me.

“Her voice was so imbued with pat­h­­os and rhythm that at one time the pain in her voice echoed the pain of every listener. Anyone who had suffered heartbreak and betrayal in life found