Richard Clayderman, the `Prince of Romance', was in India last week. Dressed in a white T-shirt and jeans, his blond hair looking unkempt, Clayderman looked like an ordinary mortal. But minutes after I spoke to him, I knew, he had it in him, the power to create the most romantic music. Because, romance is all what he is about, simple yet powerful, given his ability to cross every border in the world.

And though he spoke with a pronounced French accent and I, in the usual Indian style, conversation was not too tough to manage. "A family man" as he describes himself, Clayderman loves music. "Music is what my world is all about. I'm surrounded by music." But yes, when he is not playing magic with his fingers, he loves to spend his time with his wife and son.

Coming back to music, he says it has always been very important to him. Clayderman was given a piano by his grandfather when he was six and since then his fingers have known nothing better. And his music says it for him.

His Ballade Pour Adeline became an outstanding success throughout Europe and further ahead. It was first a hit in Spain, followed by Germany, France, South America, Japan, Australia and the United Kingdom, selling as many as 22 million copies. And since then, there has been no looking back for this 47-year-old prince. To date, he has released more than 800 titles, received 63 platinum and 263 gold records, worldwide.

And this being his first trip to India, was he nervous, or did he have to make a special preparation, keeping in mind that Indian audiences have a different taste of music. "Well, it was a kind of challenge for me. But seriously, I was overwhelmed by the kind of response I got and I didn't know, so many people, here listened to my music."

And what does he like best out of all his works? "I always end up liking the latest work." And a secret, he tells me with a smile is "after I meet everyone, and if I have some time at my hand I will go back to practice." I follow him for a shoot. And as he runs his fingers on the piano, the notes float gently, most gently and beautifully, bringing back the moonlit nights.