Solitude is something I’m used to: Ruskin Bond
Quarantined in his cottage in Uttarakhand’s Mussoorie, not much has changed for the popular children’s author, Ruskin Bond. He says, “I have been writing from the comfort of my home like most writers, for over 60 years now...Solitude is something I’m used to; in fact, I’m quite happy with it!’’
Much to his readers’ delight, Bond, 85, has been working on multiple books. “My boyhood memoir titled Coming Round the Mountain is scheduled for a release in May. And there is another book in the pipeline,” shares the author who recently wrapped up recording a series of short stories titled Bonding Over The Radio, being broadcast by the All India Radio. Ask if he is comfortable with the digital medium at an age where most people struggle, and he says, “I prefer to be heard than to be seen!”
Truly, the lockdown hasn’t impacted the productivity of the author, who continues to wake up early to devote a few hours to writing. “I have made a living out of writing, so I have to be disciplined about it. But I miss the freedom to take a stroll during the quarantine,’’ he sighs, adding, “The lockdown has gone on for a while, and it understandably perturbs many. I believe the government is doing its best to control the pandemic.’’
And while many are reading his writings amid lockdown, Bond says he is reading (or rereading) a lot of detective stories, especially Agatha Christie’s work. More importantly, he still subscribes to a newspaper since his day is “incomplete” without it. “I noticed recently that even the matrimonial pages are missing from the paper,’’ he chuckles.