Latest news with #TheBlueUmbrella
Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Ruskin Bond at 91: ‘I get up to write, not to do exercises'
Few writers have captured the quiet rhythms of Indian life as evocatively as Ruskin Bond. Over a remarkable career spanning more than seven decades, Bond has chronicled the beauty of the ordinary—mountain walks, monsoon rains, childhood mischief—with a warmth that has endeared him to generations of readers. A recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award, the Padma Shri (1999), and the Padma Bhushan (2014), Bond's literary legacy includes beloved titles like The Room on the Roof, The Blue Umbrella, Rusty, Boy from the Hills, and A Flight of Pigeons. His work has not only lived on bookshelves but also found new life on screen, with adaptations such as Saat Khoon Maaf and The Blue Umbrella, introducing his stories to wider audiences. 'The body, like an old car, starts giving trouble. But I'm grateful. When I was young, living to 60 was considered an achievement. So 91 feels like a bonus round,' Bond told in an exclusive, candid conversation. He also shared glimpses into his daily life at 91, musings on modern life, enduring love for books, and more. Edited excerpts are below: Q. What does a typical day in your life look like? What small joys are you unapologetically 'greedy' about? Ruskin Bond: In my younger days, I walked everywhere—hiking through hills and exploring towns. That's how stories came to me, how life stayed interesting. Now, things are quieter. I begin my day early—around seven or eight—and write a couple of pages. If the weather is kind, I sit in the sun; otherwise, I find some shade. Nature is my daily joy—trees, birds, flowers. I get along with small animals, not the large ones. I have a pretty three-legged Persian cat and a gang of monkeys who aren't pets, but like to steal my lunch. Books are still a constant—I read every day, though I must bring them close to my nose now. I take four newspapers each morning and get quite grumpy if they're late. And yes, I love sweets—ice cream, laddus, jalebis, and burfi. The doctors ask to cut back on sugar, but I sneak in the occasional treat. Life would be rather dull without those little indulgences. Q. At this stage in life, how do you define 'fitness'? What keeps you feeling well in body, mind, and spirit? Ruskin Bond: I've never thought much about fitness, to be honest. When we're young, we take it for granted. I used to walk and cycle everywhere, and that probably kept me healthy. I never did yoga or followed any strict regimen. I've always been more of a lazy fellow—I get up to write, not to do exercises. Now, in my 90s, I can't walk far, but I still enjoy a short stroll. The body, like an old car, starts giving trouble. But I'm grateful. When I was young, living to 60 was considered an achievement. So 91 feels like a bonus round. Q. Having witnessed so much change over the decades, is there something from the past you wish today's generation would reconsider? A post shared by Ruskin Bond (@ruskinbondofficial) Ruskin Bond: When I was a boy, I loved walking and cycling. But now, it doesn't feel safe anymore. I used to walk all over the city when I lived in Delhi, even from Connaught Place to the Red Fort. The traffic now makes walking difficult, both here in Mussoorie and in Delhi. It's just the blare of car horns. You get used to it eventually, but I'd much rather hear birds, but unfortunately, the traffic and helicopters have scared them away. You learn to live with it. Otherwise, I'd have to move to the next mountain and hope they don't follow me there. Life changes, but thankfully, some things remain: books to read and friends to talk to. And now and then, when one of the young people in the house takes me for a drive outside Mussoorie, I can go for a short walk, hear a few birds, and enjoy a bit of peace. But right next to the house, it's hard. Town life is slowly consuming the countryside, and it seems that's just the way it is. Q. Technology has changed how we tell stories, from podcasts to audiobooks. Do you feel something essential has been lost, or is it simply an evolution? Ruskin Bond: It's an evolution, I suppose. As long as people still care about stories, I'm happy. Whether it's a printed book or someone narrating it on a podcast, the gist of the story remains. It's how we share our humanity. Q. Travel adventures are often centred in your stories. Of all the places you've lived or travelled to, is there one that holds a special place in your heart? Ruskin Bond: Apart from Mussoorie, which is home, I have fond memories of Jamnagar, where I lived as a boy, by the sea. Pondicherry was lovely too, during the filming of Saat Khoon Maaf. And I once spent time in Gopalpur-on-Sea in Odisha—stormy, yes, but beautiful and quiet. I like seaside places—they contrast with the mountains. India offers such variety: hills, beaches, deserts. You could spend your whole life here and never run out of new experiences. Q. Your new book, How to Be You, feels like a quiet manifesto on living authentically. Was self-assurance always a part of your nature? Ruskin Bond: (Laughs) Well, I'm still trying to be me. That's the honest answer. I hope the book helps a few young people. I think self-assurance comes over time—with experience, with solitude, and with acceptance. You stop trying to impress and start enjoying being who you are. Q. Is there a hidden talent or hobby your readers might be surprised to know about? A post shared by Ruskin Bond (@ruskinbondofficial) Ruskin Bond: I'm not sure I have any hidden talents. Writing has always been both my profession and my passion. Beyond that, I do have a quirky little knack for tongue twisters—a skill I've picked up over the years. I can breeze through some of the trickiest ones, like 'Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers' or 'She sells sea shells by the seashore,' without skipping a beat. Not too bad for someone in his 90s, I'd say. I suppose it's the writer in me, still delighting in the rhythm and mischief of words. Q. Lastly, you've reached a remarkable milestone of 91 years. What is one valuable life lesson you've learnt? Ruskin Bond: Life is a precious gift—make the most of it. Do something meaningful with your time, and give something of yourself to others. Use it meaningfully: create, contribute, and leave something behind. As the Latin proverb says, 'Ars longa, vita brevis' — art is long, life is short. Cherry Gupta is an Assistant Manager - Content at The Indian Express. She is responsible for crafting compelling narratives, uncovering the latest news and developments, and driving engaging content based on data and trends to boost website traffic and audience engagement. One can connect with her on LinkedIn or by mail at ... Read More
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Ruskin Bond books
'Memory is a writer's best friend,' Ruskin Bond writes in his latest book, a charming collection of vignettes and ruminations drawn from a life lived quietly, gracefully and always on his own terms. While the book, which hit the bookstores on May 19th, Bond's 91st birthday, is a definite must-buy, there are others by this beloved writer that you shouldn't miss. Here are some of them The Room on the Roof Written when Bond was just 17, this charming bildungsroman chronicles the adventures of a 16-year-old orphaned Anglo-Indian boy, Rusty, who runs away from home. Along the way, he makes deep, abiding friendships, experiences love and heartbreak, and garners life-enriching experiences, with his coming-of-age journey spilling into Bond's next book, Vagrants In The Valley. The Room on the Roof, which went on to win the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize in 1957, is also a portrait of post-independence Dehradun, taking you straight into the heart of the markets, bylanes, food and culture of this town, located on the foothills of the Himalayas. A Flight of Pigeons Set in Shajahanpur, around the time of the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, A Flight of Pigeons tells the story of a young girl, Ruth Labadoor, who witnesses her father being murdered in front of her in a church by the mutineers and is forced to go into hiding with her family. The book, which was made into a film, Junoon, by Shyam Benegal, details how the family survives this turbulent period. Rain in the Mountains: Notes from the Himalayas 'It is always the same with mountains. Once you have lived with them for any length of time, you belong to them. There is no escape,' writes Bond in his 1993 book Rain In The Mountains: Notes From The Himalayas, a semi-autobiographical selection of musings, essays, poems and stories, chosen from writing created over a twenty-five-year period, between the seventies and the nineties. In Grandfather's Garden A personal favourite that always leaves me chortling and wanting more, In Grandfather's Garden has a vast selection of unforgettable characters, both human and non-human. These include the rather high-strung Aunt Mabel, an incredibly annoying Uncle Ken, an extremely cool Grandfather with a penchant for snakes and crocodiles and a long-suffering, though fairly level-headed, grandmother. The Blue Umbrella Published in 1992, The Blue Umbrella, set in Garhwal, Uttarakhand, is a lovely little book about a little mountain girl named Binya and the dainty blue umbrella she falls in love with, offering a deeply immersive jaunt through small-town India.
Indian Express
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
5 must-read Ruskin Bond books every child should dive into
For seven decades, Ruskin Bond has enthralled readers with stories extolling the simple joys of small-town life and the wonders of nature. His tales, often set in Mussoorie and Dehradun, are a window into simple joys, fleeting friendships, and childhood wonder. In Bond's world, the real adventures lie not in grand battles or sweeping quests, but in friendships struck up on railway platforms, trees quietly growing in backyards, and the secret pools hidden away in forests. If you're introducing a young reader to Bond's world for the first time, these five books offer the perfect entry points: each a masterpiece that nurtures the imagination and a lifelong love for storytelling. 1. The Blue Umbrella In a tiny Himalayan village, a young girl named Binya becomes the proud owner of a dazzling blue umbrella, stirring jealousy among the villagers. With its simple narrative and rich emotional undercurrents, The Blue Umbrella is a beautiful parable about kindness, forgiveness, and learning to let go. 2. The Cherry Tree When Rakesh plants a cherry seed in his grandfather's garden, he embarks on a journey of nurturing and patience that mirrors the slow unfolding of childhood itself. The Cherry Tree teaches children the rewards of perseverance and care. 3. The Thief In this coming-of-age story, a young runaway thief finds unexpected kindness from a man who offers him not just shelter, but trust and education. The Thief is a compelling reminder that second chances have the power to change lives. 4. Ghost Trouble What happens when a homeless ghost moves in with a lively young boy? Part comic romp, part environmental cautionary tale, Ghost Trouble delivers thrills and laughs while gently raising questions about how we treat the natural world around us.
