India’s beloved author, who became a nonagenarian today, is still doing what he does best: Capturing the simplicity of nature and human relationships through his ink.
“The blue umbrella taught me to dance in the rain, celebrating life’s challenges rather than hiding from them,” this profound line from Bond’s celebrated short story The Blue Umbrella is packed with wisdom within the stories that ooze simplicity. This quote emphasizes finding tranquility in the everyday elements of life and encourages us to live each day with equal rigor. This was the first story of his work I came across, marking the journey of exploring Ruskin Bond’s literary Brilliance. The author turns 90 today and still contributes to the world of stories. To mark this significant milestone, Bond is releasing three new books: a literary memoir titled ‘The Hill of Enchantment’ (Aleph), which he describes as “an essay on life,” and two books for younger readers, ‘How to Be Happy’ (HarperCollins) and ‘Hold on to Your Dreams’ (Puffin). Let us now know more about his life story and learn from his experiences.
EARLY LIFE
Ruskin Bond was born in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, India, on May 19, 1934, to British Origin parents Edith Clarke and Aubrey Bond. He is well known for writing stories set in India’s hills and mountains, as he is the most familiar with nature, having been brought up in the most secluded and serene parts of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. His parents got divorced when he was just 4 years old. Bond shares a close bond with his father, and his undivided love helped him grow during his childhood. Bond has been a voracious reader since childhood and wrote his first short story ‘Untouchable’ when he was just 16.
ACCIDENT WRITER
Bond’s journey as an author is not conventional but a more destined path. He always dreamt of becoming an actor or a tap dancer, only until he recognized his ability to tell stories that resonate. Mr. Bond was just 17 when he penned his first novel, “The Room on the Roof,” which won him the John Rhys Memorial Prize in 1957.
Over a span of sixty years as a full-time writer, Bond has explored various genres in writing, from fiction for Kids to Romance. He has written and published over hundred books, which include his incredible short stories and essays collection close to 500. Among his collections of short stories, and essays, “The Blue Umbrella, “The Girl on the Train,” and “The Room on the Roof” are some of his best-known works.
WRITING STYLE
Ruskin Bond’s writing style is marked by its simplicity, evocative descriptions, and deep connection to nature and human emotions. His prose often explores themes of nostalgia, friendship, and the innocence of youth. Bond’s vivid portrayals of the Indian hills and rural life immerse readers in the scenic beauty and charm of small-town existence. The life he led had a significant influence on his writing style. Bond loves simple pleasures, evident in his life in Landour, Uttarakhand, where he has resided since 1963. Bond finds happiness in the small things in life, whether chowing down on his favorite Kashmiri dish, “mutton kofta curry,” or sipping foamy strawberry milkshakes.
Friendship is a key theme in Bond’s depiction of childhood, with his protagonists often enveloped by a circle of friends—a recurring theme in his novels. This theme is vividly illustrated in “The Room on the Roof,” where Bond draws from his own experiences to portray the unbreakable friendship between Rusty, Somi, Ranbir, and Kishen, who remain devoted to each other regardless of their circumstances. These are some of the strongest reasons why he is proclaimed one of the best authors of Children’s books of all time and is given the title of the Indian William Wordsworth.
HONOURS AND RECOGNITIONS
He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1992 for his English novel “Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra.” Additionally, he was honored with the Padma Shri in 1999, and the Padma Bhushan in 2014.
On this birthday of Ruskin Bond, let us revisit his best books and immerse ourselves in a world full of human emotions. Let us revisit his writing, which inspires us to find beauty and wonder in the ordinary, encouraging us to embrace life’s everyday moments as a source of inspiration.
P.S. And these are my parting words to you, dear Reader: May you have the wisdom to be simple and the humor to be happy. ( Fun Fact: This is the last line of Mr.Bond’s famous work, “The Lamp is Lit”).
Happy Reading!