The Interplay of Music and Emotional Expression in Preeti Shenoy's Tea for Two and a Piece of Cake

Abstract

Preeti Shenoy’s Tea for Two and a Piece of Cake is a complex novel that explores the link between music and feelings. The music is not just a background element, but a central part of the story being told by narrator of the story, Nisha. She is the novel’s main character and a talented pianist, who thinks that she needs to heal and learn more about herself after her marriage. Here, the novelist, connects the character's feelings with the piano and the music that played during the most important events in her life. With this background, this study looks at the symbolic use of music to help Nisha share her inner worries and then heal. Many of the songs and musical references in the novel are a way for the characters to show how they feel without using words, which is often hard to explain. In addition, the study would look at how shared musical moments, like singing with her kids or listening to old recordings of their favourite songs, that are important for building good relationships with characters and making people feel like they get along with each other. Music is an important part of the story because it helps the readers to understand how the characters are feeling on the inside. It also supports the main idea that art can change one’s life and help one to get through anything.