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..
  • Vedha 21 August, 2012 at 6:16 am

    hello gautam….
    frankly speaking, i am positively jealous of you…what can you expect?!you’ve met my idol!i have been searching left right and center for his contact details, and i know you have received a lot of requests for this, but can you please email me his number? And by the way, thanks a bunch for his address…

    if you do decide to email me, my id is- vedhapoddar@yahoo.co.in
    Vedha

  • Uma 26 October, 2012 at 9:48 am

    Hi!
    It was a treat to see Ruskin Bond reciting poetry, talking to people, and the beautiful memorabilia displayed!
    Thanks for sharing
    Uma

  • Uma 26 October, 2012 at 9:56 am

    I have been an ardent fan of Ruskin Bond from my very young age, since I started reading his poems in Imprint journal that we subscribed. After moving away from India it was not possible to read his poems. Thanks to the internet, we are again “Bond”ing with the works!

  • Shubhra 17 December, 2012 at 2:50 am

    Can you please mail me his contact number, I would like to meet him..

  • jenny roxehill 22 January, 2013 at 8:39 pm

    Ruskin is a good guy.I live in Houston ,its been a couple days I came
    in India to visit my pals and most of the books i read is about Ruskin Bond and I feel he has taken place of the best auther

  • Medha 28 February, 2013 at 1:14 am

    Hi Gautam

    Your account of a meeting with Mr Bond is a heart warming read. My friends and I are planning a trip to Landour this March with the special hope of meeting him. Even though your post is quite old I still hope you’ll see this comment and be kind enough to send us
    Mr. Bond’s phone number soon. The id is medha37@gmail.com

    Thanks.

    🙂

  • Pushkaraj 6 March, 2013 at 3:06 am

    Dear Gautam,
    You have done amazing work……just one humble request can you send me Mr Bond’s postal address I want to write to him …….please do the needfull thanks in advance!!!

  • sharvanee 29 March, 2013 at 12:37 am

    Thank u for the address!!!

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