Recently had a conversation with one stranger on goodreads. It was about Ruskin Bond autobiography which had come out recently, "Lone Fox Dancing". Somehow the conversation tilted towards stories of Ruskin Bond being printed again and again under different titles or for commercialization.
I deeply felt offended. I could not figure out as to why I was offended, but I was. Later after a long period of contemplation I wondered why.
There were many points, Ruskin Bond and his writing is close to my heart, obviously I was offended. But bigger part was how less equipped was the person who was trying to tell me that Ruskin Bond was more or less having a mindset of commercial writers these days.
Good thing was, I let the stranger sink in his own ignorance, meanwhile, I just figured out what I could take away from this conversation.
Well, Ruskin Bond now in his 80's, can he be indented towards commercialism these days? I'm pretty sure no. When he wanted money via writing he has made sufficient. Though he struggled too during his days.
Plus the stories of Ruskin Bond should be published again and again. I guess, its not because I like them. But its because they are all about celebration of India as a country. What our country was during that golden era, when there was no commercialization to worry about. Just plain simple life. Plain simple stories. No fuss, no complications.
Why shouldn't our country be glorified in such ways? I bet it should, so more and more stories of Ruskin Bond should be published again and again.
I get to relive those days once again, if not in real but atleast in fiction and if not in personal words atleast via words of Ruskin Bond.
Cheers,
Wish I could quote some Kipling poetry, I'm afraid, I will have to do some more reading to mature!
