Ruskin Bond, a prominent figure in Indian-English literature for over seven decades, celebrated his 92nd birthday this month.
Born on May 19, 1934, in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, to British parents Edith Dorothy and Aubrey Alexander Bond, his early life involved frequent moves across hill stations due to his father's work with the Royal Air Force. These experiences profoundly shaped his writing. The loss of his father at age ten deeply affected him, after which he attended Bishop Cotton School in Shimla, UK.
Returning to India in 1955, Bond settled in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, a pivotal decision. This scenic region became the setting for many of his stories, with the tranquillity and charm of rural India emerging as central themes in his work.
Despite brief stints in various jobs, Bond's dedication to writing serves as an inspiration. His literary career began at sixteen with "The Untouchables" and continues after seventy-five years, encompassing over five hundred short stories, novels, articles, poems, and essays.
Bond believes that "the simplest and noblest joy in the world is writing," reflecting his life's philosophy. Simplicity in theme and accessible language are hallmarks of his style.
Bond's writing captivates with its diverse themes and presentation, ranging from ghost and love stories to natural landscapes. His work particularly shines in its magical portrayals of Himalayan villages, nature, childhood, and Mussoorie.
Beyond his prolific writing career, Bond championed other authors and offered insightful perspectives on writing, happiness, and pursuing dreams.
In "The Golden Years," Bond notes that writers never truly retire, citing numerous authors who continued writing late in life. For example, he mentions Agatha Christie, Somerset Maugham, P.J. Wodehouse, Mulk Raj Anand, Bernard Shaw, Khushwant Singh, R.K. Narayan, and Nayantara Sahgal, who continues to write at the age of ninety-seven.
After only three years abroad, Bond made his home in and around Mussoorie. Despite this devotion to India, as explored in "Son of India," the final chapter of his autobiography, he has occasionally faced prejudice. An incident in Konark, where he was charged exorbitant fees due to his perceived foreignness, inspired a story about cultural identity.
His numerous accolades include the Sahitya Academy Award (1992), Padma Shri (1999), Padma Bhushan (2014), Sahitya Academy Fellowship (2021), Delhi Government Lifetime Achievement Award (2012), and the Ram Nath Goenka Literary Award. Bond credits these awards with motivating him to continue writing.
In 2024 alone, Bond published eight books with publishers including Penguin, Harper Collins, Ratan Sagar, Roopa, and Speaking Tiger. Readers eagerly anticipate Ruskin's future works.
Ruskin Bond's literary journey is a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring impact of nature on the human experience. Through his evocative prose and relatable characters, Bond has captured the hearts of readers around the world. His exploration of themes such as childhood, identity, and the beauty of the natural world continues to resonate with audiences, ensuring that his legacy will endure for generations to come. As a writer, Bond has not only enriched Indian literature but has also inspired a love for reading and writing in countless individuals, making him a true literary icon. His works serve as a reminder of the importance of storytelling in preserving culture, fostering understanding, and nurturing the imagination.
Some quotes from his books:
“To be able to laugh and to be merciful are the only things that make man better than the beast”
“People often ask me why my style is so simple. It is, in fact, deceptively simple, for no two sentences are alike. It is clarity that I am striving to attain, not simplicity.
Of course, some people want literature to be difficult, and some writers like to make their readers toil and sweat. They hope to be taken more seriously that way. I have always tried to achieve a prose that is easy and conversational. And those who think this is simple should try it for themselves.”
“Book readers are special people, and they will always turn to books as the ultimate pleasure. Those who do not read are the unfortunate ones. There's nothing wrong with them, but they are missing out on one of life's compensations and rewards. A great book is a friend that never lets you down. You can return to it again and again, and the joy first derived from it will still be there.
Some of his famous books:
- The Room on the Roof
- The Blue Umbrella
- A Flight of Pigeons
- Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra
- The Night Train at Delhi
- The India I Love
- Rusty, the Boy from the Hills
- Delhi is Not Far
Famous Quotes of the Author
“Happiness is a mysterious thing, to be found somewhere between too little and too much.”
“The past is always with us, for it feeds the present.”
“On books and friends I spend my money;
For stones and bricks, I haven't any.”
“It's courage, not luck, that takes us through to the end of the road.”
“Normally, writers do not talk much, because they are saving their conversations for the readers of their book-
those invisible listeners with whom we wish to strike a sympathetic chord.”
“Some of us are born sensitive. And if, on top of that, we are pulled in different directions (both emotionally and physically), we might just end up becoming writers.
No, we don't become writers in schools of creative writing. We become writers before we learn to write. The rest is simply learning how to put it all together.”
“The world keeps on changing, but there is always something, somewhere, that remains the same.”
“Live close to nature and you'll never feel lonely. Don't drive those sparrows out of your veranda; they won't hack into your computer.”
“You don’t have to lie if you know how to withhold the truth.”
