Ruskin, Our Enduring Bond by Ganesh Saili

[LakshmiKM]

Ruskin , Our enduring Bond by Ganesh Saili
I read this really delightful little book yesterday. It is short and sweet.

Ganesh Saili and Ruskin Bond have been friends for more than three decades. Ganesh met Ruskin shortly after Ruskin had moved to the hills above Dehra in the 1960s.
For ruskin, Ganesh and his wife Abha's home has always been 'a home away from home'.
Ganesh and Ruskin have co-authored several memorable books.

Ruskin Bond has always been one of my favourite authors. Ganesh Saili has very beautifully presesnted Ruskin's life. Reading about him , I realised all his writings are just a reflection of all that has happened in his life.
As he says, “ Ever since I started freelancing, on my return from England in 1955, I have been writing in order to sustain the sort of life I like to lead- unhurried, even-paced, sensual, in step with the natural world , most at home with humble people. I have no assets except the books I have written and the few that may still be lurking in the innermost recesses of my mind..... I doubt if I have ever written a story or essay or workaday article unless I have really wanted to write it.... If writing is not easy , if I am not enjoying it , I know I am better off doing something else. Yet writing is easy if I am happy with my theme... Happiness is an elusive state if mind , not to be gained by clumsy pursuit. It is given to those who do not strive for it: to be unconcerned about a desired good is probably the only way to possess it.”

What does he feel about his own writing?
Ruskin says gently : “ Amongst writers , I am not one of the big guns. I am not even a little gun. I prefer to see myself as just a small pebble lying on the beach . But I would like to think that I am a smooth , round colourful pebble , and that someone will pick me up, derive a little pleasure from holding me , and possibly even put me in his or her pocket. And if one tires of me , one can always throw mw back into the sea. Perhaps a kindly wave will wash me ashore again, and someone else will pick me.”

Ruskin, Our enduring Bond
by Ganesh Saili
Published in India by Roli Books
New Delhi