Creation is man's God moment in which enquiry, imagination, inspiration, instinct, and patience-not to speak of frustration-are at play. The writer in his study, struggling for that word that will carry a world within it. The composer waiting for that perfect note that will travel to eternity. The scientist giving himself to subatomic mysteries for the truth that will explain the universe further. It can go on, the solitary pursuit for perfection. The creator's journey is a singular endeavour.

Not necessarily. Some of the finest performances in invention and ingenuity are not solo acts. When you listen to an old Beatles number, remember that it has a back story of four extraordinary talents that became one in the creation of a beautiful song. Don't we know that Robert De Niro played some of those cult characters when Martin Scorsese was behind the camera? Wasn't it the combined talents of two American brothers that pioneered the magic of aviation? Sometimes it takes the power of two to create something that can make a difference in the lives of others, to build something that can shift history, to give shape to a new aesthetics. It is the transformative partnership of talents.

This is an excerpt from India Today Cover Story dated December 23, 2013. To read more, subscribe to the magazine.