India’s Most Loved Storyteller, Ruskin Bond, Celebrates His 85th Birthday
The cake looked like one of the dreamy covers of his magical books as the writer on the hill prepared himself for yet another birthday celebration, of course, amidst the presence of his fans and publishers. It was indeed his 85th birthday but our beloved writer, Mr. Bond looked like a fine wine in a red sweater and trouser. Mr. Bond completed another year of his extraordinary existence on 19th of May. On this special occasion, let’s throw some light on his magnificent yet simple life!
You know your childhood was worth it, if you still remember all his stories, essays and poems! You know you are drawn towards simplicity in this material world if Mr. Bond’s books are still a part of your reading shelf! The empathy and kindness he has towards this world is what makes him stand apart from other storytellers, especially of our generation! If you want to know what wisdom and simplicity means, pick any of his books, and you’ll know!
If you have read his work, you’d already know about his childhood, stories of his youth and his more graceful years. From numerous encounters with the tigers of Uttarakhand to moon-lit nights of Mussoorie, from sleeping in the presence of ghosts of the hills to essays on geraniums, rhododendrons and deodars, Ruskin has described it all in a beautiful yet inexplicable way, leaving his readers to crave for more. There is nothing much to know about him, and yet when you start reading his work, you become fond of the depth that he brings with his words.
Ruskin was born in Kasauli to Edith Clerke and Aubrey Bond who were unfortunately divorced when Ruskin was really young. As a child, Ruskin spent most of his time with his father, who died pretty soon due to Malaria, which really affected Ruskin’s childhood. He found himself lonely and sad after losing his only friend. However, after he went to study in Bishops’ Cotton School in Shimla, he made a few close friends that have constantly been a part of his essays. He learnt the art of writing from his father, and found solace in books of authors such as Charles Dickens and John Lang.
After leaving boarding school, Ruskin was sent to London to earn a living. However, his love for India and his friends made him return to Dehradun and find living as a freelance writer. Finally, he chose as his home. More than 50 years have passed since he moved to Mussoorie, and our beloved writer on the hills has no regrets about living in a mansion or big city! Someone asked him once about spending his whole life in the hills, and literally, not anywhere else, to which he cheekily replied,” Well, I forgot to leave the hills!”
Even though, Mr. Bond didn’t marry anyone in his life, the eternal bachelor has an adopted family. They live in Ivy Cottage in Landour, near Mussoorie. As a writer, he has released countless books; some of them have been also adapted into TV series and films such as ‘The Blue Umbrella,’ ‘Junoon’ and ‘7 Khoon Maaf.’ He has been awarded Padma Sri and Padma Bhushan in 1999 and 2014, respectively. Looking at his simple life and love for nature, it is apt to say that in a world full of pointless egos, here is a man who is all about kindness, empathy and simple pleasures of life.
We wish Mr. Bond a very happy birthday! This world needs more humans like him and so, we wish him a long and peaceful life!
PS.- If you wish to meet him, you can visit the Cambridge Book Depot in Mussoorie on a Saturday at 4 pm. You’re welcome!
