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..
  • rashmi 9 July, 2010 at 12:56 am

    Heyy!!
    I know I am late but recently came across this webpage…it would have been great isn’t?
    WEll me a Journalist based in Raipur working for an English newspaper, i have recently seen Ruskin’s column in one of the Hindi newspapers here. And am always hunting for a renowned and influential columnist who could add something nice to serve our readers.
    So the root cause of writing to you is, I want Ruskin’s email id desperately. I wana invite him to write for us.
    Could you share it with me too like you did with others? My email is rashmitina@gmail.com.
    Would be obliged if you co-operate.
    Thanks!!

  • Gautam 9 July, 2010 at 8:51 am

    Rashmi ji:

    Our dear Rusty, as a recall from our conversation in his tiny living room, does not use a computer and stays away from it. He still prefers writing long hand and uses his typewriter sometimes. Hence if you must, write to him. His address is here:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/shayargautam/341188051/in/set-72157601720375012/

    Cheers,
    Gautam

  • Zeba Momin 13 July, 2010 at 6:54 am

    wow…..that is soooooooooooooooooo cooooooooooooooool…….. u r lucky ha gautam!!!! hey, if u dont mind, will u send me his contact number?????? thanx in advance!!!! please send it to me at: angeliczee@gmail.com

  • amisha patel 19 July, 2010 at 5:35 am

    u should keep info. on poems by every writers either the poem or the writer is famous or not

  • Aditi Vasu 26 September, 2010 at 12:24 am

    hey gautam….. m cherished to see rusty’s pics n the video n also the way u met him…. can i gt his contact information ? actually we wntd to invite him to our school. Plz reply>>>

  • Denise 28 September, 2010 at 12:24 am

    Hi Gautam,
    It’s really fortunate that you had a chance to spend time with this wonderful writer.
    I’m a writer too and have always admired Ruskin Bond’s works. Could you please email me his telephone no? I’m planning to do to Mussourie in November and would love to meet him. Does he take calls?

    Do let me know if there’s a specific time or something that he meets people or is it by chance?

    thanks

  • Gautam 28 September, 2010 at 4:26 am

    Thanks all. Requested info. will be sent to everyone by email.

  • Neha 7 November, 2010 at 1:22 pm

    Hey,
    God bless you for posting Ruskin’s address here. I am planning a trip to mussoorie this november. Can you please mail me his phone number? Please please please..

    Thanks a million
    -Neha

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