Shyamji has music in his blood, for his father was the acclaimed 'heavenly singer' and guru, Ram Lal. But Shyam Lal is not his father, and knows he never will be. Mallika Sengupta's voice could have made her famous, but being the wife of a successful businessman is a full-time occupation in itself. Mallika's son, Nirmalya, believes in suffering for his art, and for him, all compromise is failure: those with talent should be true to that talent. No matter what. Written in haunting, melodic prose, The Immortals tells the story of Shyam, Mallika and Nirmalya: their relationships, their lives, their music. 'As seductive as a delicate, half-heard tune' Daily Mail 'A memorable work - capacious, multi-faceted and intimate, it is Indian to the core but universal in its implications' Independent 'A beautiful novel of music and time, hopes and regrets' Irish Times