The Hindu Business Line : A heart finely blended

Meet the original Mr Bond. He has enthralled millions of people for more than four decades and explored various facets of fantasy, nature and humour very closely. And no, he does not sport a gun.

Ruskin Bond, the author of hills, was in Bangalore recently on a promotional tour of his book, The India I Love. "People are asking me to quickly make notes on the city which may be useful for my work, but where's the time, with so many interactions with the media?" he asks his publisher helplessly.

In an informal chat with Life he spoke about some issues close to his heart: changes in the publishing world, new opportunities for writers, the emergence of Indian English, reading habits of today's children, dilemmas of Indian English writers and the changing economics of the publishing industry.

Ruskin Bond's opinion of the reading habits of today's children is like a whiff of fresh air. No lament, no rue and certainly no chest pounding on the dying art of reading. On the other hand, he feels more people are reading today because more people have the means to buy books.

He recalls that when he had started writing, some of his books, which were priced at Rs 5 each, used to gather dust in bookstores. "Now the same books priced at Rs 250 are selling well." Reading is still a minority pastime, he agrees. "But even 50 years ago, not many children read books. There were just 2-3 of us in a class of 35 who picked up books from the library." Attractions like TV and Internet are not responsible for changing one's reading habit, because the people who read are not regular TV watchers, he says.

Pointing to the city's bustling MG Road, he says, "You see a tremendous variety of bookstores now, which was not there a few years ago." Is this because the English-reading population has increased? "Yes, that could be true to a large extent," he responds. What about the popularity of Hindi or any vernacular literature? "This would depend, to a large extent, on the accessibility of these books to the public. In small towns or villages there are no bookshops or libraries. So they fall back on TV to get information." As a result, a lot of Hindi and regional language writers are focussing on writing for television. It's a question of economics, he adds.

Endorsing the birth of the remix language — Hinglish — he says the process is but natural. In his opinion, language will keep changing and developing. "The English language has absorbed so many words and expressions, so why not some more?" On the other hand, local languages too are taking up English words. "For instance, if you speak to someone in Delhi or Mumbai, their English will have a smattering of Hindi or Marathi." And as literature is expected to reflect life and times, it's only natural that language also does the same.

Commenting on the profession of writing, which is changing considerably, he says, "There are more opportunities for a writer. Journalism too has evolved since my days as a freelancer." Like in any other field, there's specialising in fiction too. Management consultants, doctors, journalists, sportspersons and software engineers are writing books (fiction and non-fiction) in their respective fields. "Books on particular subjects have a big market now," he says, happy with the words he has chosen whilst speaking to a business journalist.

The very affable Ruskin Bond smiles and says, "Of course, I do know about business," pretending to be offended, when queried on his knowledge of business. "I have learnt that there is a very limited market for short stories. That's why I don't write so much fiction as I used to," he admits, adding, "I have started writing more poetry."

On his abode in the hills, he says, "Writers are now more and more city-based because now you cannot make a living in the countryside or in the hills," he laughs. So how does he `manage'? "You see, I have never in my life owned a house or a car or a wife, so it does not matter," he chuckles. He does own three typewriters though, which he does not use. And no, he does not tap at the computer keyboard either. "All my work gets written in the traditional long-hand way, with a pen," he says. And he's completely and absolutely computer illiterate.

Talking about the dilemma of the Indian English writer who's expected to present the country in a `certain' light, he says, "If you write for the foreign English reader, then you are ignoring the Indian reader. There is a tendency to go for the exotic, make it slightly sensational and mysterious."

On the other hand, if you are writing for an Indian audience, there is an irresistible urge to use regional language words or expressions. But this, many authors fear, will turn away American or British readers. So how does one strike a balance? "Just write whatever you feel like," he recommends.

Again, unlike most writers who shrug off movies and television serials based on literary works as `not acceptable,' Bond confesses he grew up watching movies based on books and he really likes them. In 1988, Shyam Benegal filmed Bond's Flight of Pigeons into Junoon, which was quite well made, concedes the author. Currently, Blue Umbrella, based on Bond's novel, is being shot at Dalhousie. "Then somebody in Mumbai televised some of my horror stories," he says in a nonchalant tone. Though these mediums have a better reach, he's sure they will not get him any new readers. "A faithful TV audience is not a reading audience," is his view.

Ruskin Bond was born in Kasauli and grew up in the hills of Uttaranchal. He lived abroad for a brief period and returned to India when he was 21 and has since made Mussorie his home. In fact, his house is a must-see spot for all visitors to the hill-station. Shrugging off the comment, he remarks, "I only wish they wouldn't disturb me when I'm enjoying my afternoon nap, which I value most."

What is it that he loves about India? "India is as much an atmosphere as it is a physical entity. It has goodwill, tolerance, and resilience. And a hundred times, I'd rather be living here than any other country."

This land is mine

Although I do not own it,

This land is mine

Because I grew upon it.

This dust, this grass,

This tender leaf

And weathered bark

All in my heart are finely blended

Until my time on earth is ended.

— From A Little Night Music, a collection of poems by Ruskin Bond.

Picture by K. Murali Kumar

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