In current passing show of modern Indian writing, three tropes of history stand out: feudalism, the Raj and heroism seeking validation. Requiem for a Soldier by Abhishek Amal Sanyal fits the bill.

It may not replace Jay Ungar's "Ashokan Farewell" (from Ken Burns' "The Civil War") as my favorite movie music, but Michael Kamen's main theme for "Band of Brothers" is as close a contender as I've ...