Ruskin in Sharjah: Rusty still not rusting!

"Do you consider yourself Lucky?"

Waiting for the author in the white domed arena at the Sharjah Book Fair I enquired of the “best half” as we just managed to get two vacant seats in the second row even as the tent was bursting at the seams. Best half? :As this is the best I could have done! (Take a good look at my mug and you will get it )

Ruskin Bond was nothing like his famous cousin James. On the contrary, he was humility personified. Our hero bowed low and waved. One hand went to his heart at the standing ovation he got. The continuous cheering and clapping only brought a gleam in his eyes, that with a hint of anticipation.

Witty he was, and to the core. “Yes, I got a lot of Encouragement in my early years when I started writing. My mother told me not to waste my time and join the army instead.”

Life for Mr. Bond had not always been a bed of roses. But that never deterred him from being his jolly self. He recalled that as a young author he once went to a book shop to see the response of one of his newly published novels. The shopkeeper told him in Hindi “Yeh Nahin Chalta” roughly translated as “This does not sell.” Not to be undone, he bought the book!

On a serious note he let out a few secrets for the aspiring writer: “Respect the language: Have a command over whichever language you write in.” He also advised us to write everyday: whatever that might be worth. Talking of himself he said that he follows the same to this day, but quips “...being lazy I go to sleep again.”
Answering a question about Writers Block his honest to goodness smile was back: “It’s easy for me. I keep my waste paper basket near my desk.” But good advice followed good humour: Write something else and come back to it later but don’t stop writing.

As the event was drawing to a close, we noticed a beeline for his signatures. “But we haven’t got any of his Titles from home.” said Best. “And it seems the whole world wants his signatures!” I added. Why don’t we purchase a couple from the fair? An excuse to buy more books: Any day!

The bookstall was at the far end of the fair and jam-packed. The black and white photo of a buck toothed English boy printed on the cover of “A Town Called Dehra” bearing a strong resemblance to our day’s hero and “Landour Days” were obvious choices for her. I had, however, my eyes set on “Susanna’s Seven Husbands “since I saw 7 Khoon Maaf.

We paid and strode back to the arena. The excitement revving us up, I was sure she had massive palpitations. I, my anxious self, thought that Mr. Bond he would have excused himself by now, feigning tiredness. This would have left many unprepared fans like us, disappointed. The Septuagenarian was very much there and his sincerity ensured that no one returned empty-handed.

We were pleasantly surprised at being just fifth in the diminishing line of fans. “He must be signing at quite a pace.” I said, “Had we been a minute or so late, we would have missed him.” Half a minute later, signed copies in hand, I came off the stage beaming. I got a taste of my own pudding when Best asked me in her casual tone:

"Do you consider yourself Lucky?"