With Ruskin Bond
January 28th, 2007
I made a small video of a part of our conversation while we were there, and took some pictures of him with my father and me.
December 7, 2006
Jolly Grant, Dehra (India)
On a day when I failed to make it to the ‘hardly-known’ Pari Tibba (the infamous burnt/haunted hill), the day ended with a pleasant meeting with one of my all-time favorite authors, Ruskin Bond.
On our way to Lal Tibba, we saw Ruskin standing on the narrow lane outside his Ivy Cottage in Landour area. He greeted us with a heart-warming smile and invited us (me and my father) upstairs. My father was very much surprised by how humble such a famous person can be. We sat and talked for a while in his sitting room. As expected it was full of books, old photographs, and the aroma that is ever present in his stories.
Although my main purpose of visiting Mussoorie was to meet Ruskin, I almost would have missed by him if his lunch company hadn’t been late. He was enjoying the Himalayan peaks from the narrow road when we drove up and stopped by the roadside. He said that someone was supposed to pick him up for lunch, but was running late. And lo! Before I could say another word, he invited us to come up for a while to have a chat. I told him that I have been reading his stories for almost 15 years and how I’d always wanted to meet the person whose pen could churn out words so simple, yet heartfelt.
We sat and chatted for a while before a magazine called him from Bombay, wanting to know his 5 favorite Authors. At the end, I asked him to recite a poem and autograph his book, “The Rupa Book of Ruskin Bond’s Himalayan Tales”. I knew that he loved the old American Opera music of Eddy Nelson and Jeanette McDonald, so I had taken their music collection with me from the States, which I presented to him.
To view the photos from my visit, click here.
on 18 Feb 2007 at 9:43 pm 1.Journey Into A Poet’s Heart | Gautam Dhar » Blog Archive » Hello Again said …
[...] Hello Again Now that I’ve recovered from my jet lag, I can sit down and reflect on the wonderful time I had during my stay in India for one month. I finally got to meet one of my favorite authors, Ruskin Bond (Rusty), breathed the divine air of the Himalayas and met many of my old friends and dear ones. While I try to edit and upload all the videos and recordings from my trip, here is a little raw recording from this morning to reflect on some of the memories I brought with me. One of my favorite Neil Diamond ballads, Hello Again. [...]
on 02 Mar 2007 at 3:48 pm 2.Nikhil said …
Hi Gautam
I came here through orkut’s Ruskin community and discovered this heart-warming site of yours.
Thanks a ton for the Bond pics. They are awesome and so clear
Its one of my ardent desires to meet him, which I hope to fulfill this summer.
The vid is still buffering as I write this..so comment on it later.
“Despite everything, each morning I look at the birds and the warm sun shining behind the clouds - and I realize that I still have another song to sing - another tale to tell. May be tomorrow, when winds aren’t cold and sun’s a bit warmer, I’ll tell you another story…”
Hmmm…why do I get this feeling that we are gonna be great friends
on 22 Mar 2007 at 11:37 am 3.kevin said …
Hi ,
After meeting Ruskin did you get the feelings he is a lonely man ?and how tall is Ruskin
Thanks
Ps love the pics if him love this books too
Thanks kevin
on 22 Mar 2007 at 11:40 am 4.kevin said …
Hi
After meeting Ruskin did you think he is a lonely man and how tall would you say he is ?
And I really like the pics of him .
Thanks
Kevin
on 22 Mar 2007 at 11:58 am 5.Gautam said …
Lonely? Not in this life. He is a truly happy, content, calm, and one of the most humble people you will ever meet. Even though he was running late for lunch he invited us over to his room for a chit chat. We had a good conversation and I’ll visit him again when I’m in Dehra.
He is about 5″6′ ish tall.
on 03 Apr 2007 at 11:18 pm 6.Neeraj Tiwari said …
Hey Gautam,
Like you,I am also an ardent fan of Ruskin Bond and want to meet him someday.
Can you tell me does he speak Hindi or does he have an Indian accent?
And what,according to you,I must keep in my mind before meeting him?
Please reply.
Keep in touch.
on 07 May 2007 at 7:04 am 7.niyanta said …
hey gautam…
it must hav been a dream cum true to meet mr bond in person….
must say tat u r really lucky…..and the pictures are fabulous…thanks a lot for sharing them…
i m a die hard fan of bond and really desparate to meet him…u think he’ll meet me….
on 18 May 2007 at 12:45 am 8.Archana said …
hi i love mr. bonds work on litrature thanks to you to give me an opportunit to know him more
on 28 May 2007 at 2:26 am 9.Maneesh said …
Hi Gautam,
Thanks a ton for putting this video for all Bond fans. God bless you!
on 06 Sep 2007 at 9:08 pm 10.Journey Into A Poet’s Heart » Blog Archive » Hum Bewafa Hargiz Na The said …
[...] at times, but the overall video is alright. The make-shift camera stand was the Autobiography of Ruskin Bond, “The Lamp is Lit.” You might be able see the letters if you see carefully at the front [...]
on 28 Sep 2007 at 11:23 am 11.Ritu said …
hey its been fab on ur end 2 put the clips …It must hav been a enthralling experience…
on 22 Oct 2007 at 8:33 am 12.Gautam said …
Thanks everyone
It was a dream come true to meet the Real Rusty!!
on 09 Feb 2008 at 9:01 am 13.Sreemoy said …
Hi
I am very fond of Ruskin since I went to college in 70s. His simplicity and child like comments make him all the more lovable. I wish I could meet him and fulfil one of my cherished dreams.
on 18 Feb 2008 at 8:38 am 14.Madhumita arora said …
hi,
its a pleasure watching this vedio and viewing his pictures. Im a great fan of him. looking at his pictures make me feel like i have actually met him. I have been to his place , gota view from outside only. But i will suely meet him one day. I have written him a letter also, hope to get a reply.
thankuuuuuuuuuuuu soooooooooooooooo muchhhhhhhhhhhh
on 18 Feb 2008 at 5:41 pm 15.Gautam said …
Hope you meet him Madhumita
on 18 Jun 2008 at 8:06 am 16.eshita said …
can ruskin’s best poems be send to my mail if so plz send b’coz i require them for my project
on 03 Aug 2008 at 1:50 pm 17.Rishutosh jain ( luckysr ) said …
i see this video i like it thx…luckysr
on 03 Aug 2008 at 1:52 pm 18.Rishutosh jain ( luckysr ) said …
or haan… pls meet this great man to Madhumita arora…mit…
on 19 Sep 2008 at 5:13 am 19.sunayana said …
Hi
Im a lecturer in English and ive read plenty of books by ruskin bond wen i was in school.I cried a lot wen i read love is a sad song .
Infact i wanted to marry ruskin bond and my friends still make fun of me foe dat. thought i still cherish dat desire bt i know he wil refuse my proposal bt if i meet him i wud try once wen i meet him which i want to very badly. if i fail to meet him before its tooo late i think i will take this guilt to my grave hoping to meet him sand ya also his family
i wish him all d luck
on 07 Nov 2008 at 4:03 am 20.Ashwin said …
Dear Gautam,
Ruskin Bond is one of my favourite authors, just like you profess as well. I am planning to go to meet him at Landour.
Could you please send me his postal address or phone number os that i will be able to intimate him about my arrival.
I would be very grateful if you could send me the information on ashwin.gambhir@gmail.com
thanks
ashwin