The world of music was rocked on Tuesday evening with the high-profile separation of legendary composer AR Rahman and his wife, Saira Banu after nearly three decades of marriage. But what came as a shock was the announcement by celebrated bassist Mohini Dey—one of Rahman’s key collaborators—who announced her separation from composer husband Mark Hartsuch. In a Instagram post, Mohini and Mark broke the news to their followers, writing: “With a heavy heart, Mark and I announce that we have separated. This is a mutual understanding between us. While we remain great friends, we both want different things in life, and separation was the best way forward.”
The couple assured fans that their professional relationship remains intact, promising to continue their musical collaborations, including their joint projects MaMoGi and the Mohini Dey Group. In their message, they urged followers to respect their privacy and refrain from making judgments.
Known as one of India’s finest bassists, Mohini Dey has been a prominent member of AR Rahman’s live ensemble, performing with the maestro in over 40 shows worldwide. She has shared stage with legends like Zakir Hussain, Steve Vai, and Guthrie Govan. Trained by her father, the late Sujoy Dey, Mohini’s journey in music has been extraordinary. Her talent, combined with her magnetic stage presence, has made her a global icon in contemporary music. In August 2023, she launched her debut album for which she earned accolades from fans and critics alike.
As the two icons of the music industry part ways with their spouses, fans are wondering how this will impact their future projects and will it cast a shadow on their artistic pursuits?
One has to wait and watch.
