With Ruskin Bond

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

Here is his address: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shayargautam/341188051/in/set-72157601720375012.

Comments So Far..
  • […] 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. […]

  • Nikhil 2 March, 2007 at 3:48 pm

    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 🙂

    • Chandan Roy 10 June, 2017 at 5:44 pm

      This is really good to hear and read and be a part of this bond community.Trust me friends reading Ruskin bond for all these years has helped me grow naturally into good human being by imbibing the good take aways from all his stories.

  • kevin 22 March, 2007 at 11:37 am

    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

  • kevin 22 March, 2007 at 11:40 am

    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

  • Gautam 22 March, 2007 at 11:58 am

    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.

  • Neeraj Tiwari 3 April, 2007 at 11:18 pm

    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.

  • niyanta 7 May, 2007 at 7:04 am

    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….

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