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..
  • Sunidhi Hegde 22 June, 2014 at 2:58 pm

    Hi Gautam,
    Thanks a lot for giving his address.

  • Sunidhi Hegde 22 June, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    Hi Gautam,
    Thanks a lot for the address.

  • A.Prasad IAS(Retd.) 29 June, 2014 at 1:05 pm

    I am a retired IAS officer living in Gujarat.I worked all along in Gujarat in the IAS.But I belong to Kerala where I was born and had my education.I ordered a dozen books of Mr.Ruskin Bond recently and finished reading them in a hurry,since they were all so very captivating in style and content.His english is very simple, but it goes straight to the heart. He must be a very simple man,both brilliant and humble.I had my IAS training in Mussoorie at the Lal Bahadur shastri Academy way back in 1963 and I was so much taken in by the sheer beauty of Mussoorie and its surroundings.I visited Mussorie recently.I wish I had read these books before I went there this time.I could have tried to meet Mr.Bond.Let me try again.I wish all those who love to read get to read the books by Mr.Bond.I wish Mr.Bond a very healthy and long life.I will certainly write to him.A.Prasad.ahmedabad.Now in Kerala on a visit.

  • Suryaansh Makked 5 July, 2014 at 2:53 pm

    Hi, can you please mail me Ruskin Bond’s contact details.

  • Vishakha 7 January, 2016 at 7:24 pm

    Hi Gautam,
    You are lucky to meet him.and the pictures are great Mr.Gautam. I am a big fan too , planning to meet him this year.good luck to you .Happy Reading.God bless.

  • Urbi Banerjee 12 January, 2016 at 10:48 am

    bond is d best writer.. love his writings and love him also.. and I am requesting all fans of bond to pray for his long and healthy life.. may god bless him..

  • Rishabh Varma 15 September, 2016 at 5:21 pm

    Hello Gautam!!

    I’m Rishabh from Hyderabad…

    We are planning do to a Play, based on his Story, The Meeting Pool… Please send his number by email… Need to take his permission…

    Thanks…

  • aditya 3 November, 2016 at 1:37 pm

    i will meet him too…loved the pics

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