Click here to read an extract from the book.

But what makes the book interesting is its narrative - while narrating the fascinatng life of MS, George brings into focus the gamut of related events, both historical and contemporary.

Of how the arts in general and Carnatic music in particular developed over the centuries, the significance of radio and of gramophone records in shaping the careers of many classical artistes, the role of Tamil cinema in popularising Carnatic music and artistes, the impact the freedom struggle and Independence had on MS' career, the role of her husband, T. Sadasivam, in her life and career and of events related to recent times.

George tells the story as any professional journalist-writer would. Backed by indepth research and information culled from dozens of interviews.

The book touches on all aspects of MS, including her romance. As George writes in the Appendix titled 'From MS with Love'. 'The story of M. S. Subbulaskhmi's life would have taken a dramatically different turn if the great love of her life had fructified.' And that love was the well known charismatic Carnatic singer, G. N. Balasubramaniam, who was also her co-star in the landmark Tamil film 'Shakuntalai'. The book records lots of fascinating anecdotes and details. One such is on the quality of her voice and the way she used it to maximum advantage. Laced in is this happening in 1930, when MS developed a tonsils problem and she was taken to Dr. P. V. Cherian, a leading ENT specialist in Madras at that time. The doctor acknowledged that MS had a problem but said that it would be a sacrilege to put a knife to MS' throat.

Eventually, the problem just went away to everyone's, including the doctor's, surprise. George, founder-editor of 'Asiaweek' magazine and now associated with 'The New Indian Express' newspaper, says that about five years after collecting material for his study, he abandoned the project. The reason - he faced too many problems that made research virtually impossible. There were hardly any written records on MS' life and her husband, Sadasivam had 'erected a fortress around her'.

But in 2002, a chance visit to MS' house led to a chance meeting with her. George says the meeting with the 86-year-old MS whose 'face was wreathed in a beatific smile' made something click and the project came alive all over again. George admits he is untutored in Carnatic music but the sharp and skilled journalist-writer that he is, he has dug deep and long into a host of people and sources. The biography is more a story of a talented, determined and humane woman who triumphed in her personal life. A huge triumph, when you consider her background - for she hailed from a community that was a target of abuse, and grew up in a society that was dominated by males.

George manages to bring out this story engagingly. And he dedicates the book to three personalities, Veena Dhanam, vocalist Bangalore Nagarathnamma and dancer Balasaraswathi.

The book is priced at Rs.495 and is published by HarperCollins India, New Delhi. Rupa & Co. is the distributor and it is now available at all leading stores.

If you wish to get a copy delivered to you by KutcheriBuzz, e-mail us at editor@kutcheribuzz.com. Copies can be sent to any place in India and in the USA.