Bond – Ruskin Bond, a name that not just the book lovers rather Indians belonging to all age cherish, as there could be hardly anyone in India, who would not have read the works of Ruskin Bond. Books of Ruskin Bond are simply magical, well even though most of them may come under the ‘Children’s Action & Adventure’ category, still readers of all age enjoys his work. Moreover, his books always gives a very nostalgic feeling and if you are that someone who had not yet read his works then you must pick up any of his amazing books and give a try!

Ruskin Bond is a ‘True Magician of the Indian Literature’ and a living legend who had filled fun in many of the young kids’ lives with his incredible writings. In addition, it would not be wrong to say he has also been an inspiration to many of the writers in India and globally. Well, such is the magic of his writing, if you would read them you too would feel the urge to write your own adventurous and fun-filled story, isn’t that amazing?

Ruskin Bond is actually an Indian Author of British descent. He is considered to be an icon among Indian writers and children’s authors and a top novelist. Most of his works are influenced by life in the hill stations at the foothills of the Himalayas, where he spent his childhood. His first novel, The Room on the Roof, was written when he was 17 and published when he was 21. It was partly based on his experiences at Dehradun, in his small rented room on the roof, and his friends. His earlier works were written without it being meant for any particular readership. Ruskin Bond’s first children’s book, Angry River was published in the 1970s, had its writing toned down on a publisher’s request for a children’s story. Bond’s work reflects his Anglo-Indian experiences and the changing political, social and cultural aspects of India, having been through colonial, postcolonial and post-independence phases of India.

Being a writer for over 50 years, Bond experimented with different genres; early works include fiction, short stories, novella with some being autobiographical. Later, he tried out non-fiction, romance and books for children. He said his favourite genres are essays and short stories. He considers himself as a ‘Visual Writer’ because for short stories, he first imagines it like a film and then notes it down. Bond likes Just William by Richmal Crompton, Billy Bunter by Charles Hamilton and classics such as Alice in Wonderland and works by Charles Dickens and Mark Twain.

Ruskin Bond has earned numerous feathers to his cap. In the year 1992, he received the esteemed Sahitya Akademi Award for English Writing, for his short stories collection, Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra. He was also awarded with the prestigious Padma Shri Award in 1999 for contributions towards the Children’s Literature. In addition, the 1978 Bollywood Film, Junoon is based on Bond’s historical novel A Flight of Pigeons, which is based upon an episode during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The movie was directed by famous Indian director, Shyam Bengal and was produced by famous Indian actor & producer Shashi Kapoor.

His book, The Rusty Stories have been adapted into a Doordarshan TV series Ek Tha Rusty. Several stories have been incorporated into the school curriculum in India, including The Night Train at Deoli, Time Stops at Shamli and Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra. In 2005, the Bollywood director Vishal Bhardwaj made a film based on his popular novel for children, The Blue Umbrella. The movie won the National Award for Best Children’s film.

What makes him an extraordinary writer-author is the fact that readers of all age can relate to him. His works are so much distinctive that no matter how many books you may read; still you can never find anything that is even close to what Ruskin Bond has written in his books. Well, his books like The Adventures of Rusty, The Blue Umbrella, The Room on the Roof, Our Trees Still Grow In Dehra, Rusty – the Boy from the Hills, Roads To Mussoorie and The Night Train at Deoli & Other Stories are enough to tell you that why it is so fun to read his stories. While books like The Beauty of All My Days: A Memoir, The Perfect Murder, All Roads Lead To Ganga, The India I Love and Tales And Legends Of India are some of his serious works, which will make the readers fell in love with the writing of this literary genius. Moreover, these books are enough for the readers to get the glimpse of the depth, which his writing possesses! 

Written By SHREYA SHARMA – Author of the Book, Indian Defence Files: Volume 1 (2021).