He was also a member of the Parliament between 19, and was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in the year 2007. A master storyteller, Khushwant Singh was the founder-editor of Yojana, and served as the editor of Illustrated Weekly of India, The National Herald and Hindustan Times. About Khushwant Singh When it comes to contemporary Indian literature, Khushwant Singh is one of the best and widely read authors and columnists. The village becomes a battleground, and it is on Juggut Singh to bring back peace while redeeming himself. Things take a dramatic turn when a local money-lender is killed, the local gangster Juggut Singh is accused, and a train arrives with dead bodies of Sikhs.
However, in the Sikhs- and Muslims-populated Mano Majra village, that is located near the Indo-Pak border, the struggle of life is expected to remain the same. Summary of the Book The tale begins on a summer of 1947 when the fate of millions is forced to be changed by the Partition of a nation. The book was edited by Sheela Reddy.Considered a modern Indian classic, this fiction novel captures the tragic reality of the Partition of India. In the book, he goes to point out the mistakes which were made then and which, he says, must be avoided the next time conditions require suspension of democratic norms for the preservation of law and order. This bold and thought provoking collection of essays on India's Emergency explained the reasons why Khushwant Singh supported the proclamation on June 25. Right from his first relationship to important political events he witnessed to his familial roots - all find a place here and are handled unabashedly and truthfully. His autobiography which delves into his personal life and all those he met during the journey was controversial yet true to its title. His image was not something Kushwant Singh was ever overtly concerned about. The book was talked about for its unbridled sexuality and brazen views on man-woman relationship.
A comment on hypocrisy in the Indian society, the book tells the story of Mohan Kumar who believes "lust is the true foundation of love". This two-volume book is considered the most comprehensive and authoritative book on the Sikhs.īased on solid research, it is written in a way to be accessible to even the lay reader.Ī work of fiction, Khushwant Singh wrote this novel at the age of 84. The son is arrested and the father is given two choices - either the son betrays his comrades or get hanged. Set in British India, Kushwant Singh's second novel is about a magistrate loyal to Britishers and his nationalist son who believes in using the gun to drive out the Britishers. It is left to a boy and a girl, from different religions, to rise beyond this abyss of religious hatred. The truth is brought home when a ghost train arrives in the isolated village, carrying bodies of hundreds of refugees. In the summer of 1947 when India is being partitioned, the hamlet of Mano Majra comes to terms with the new reality of India and Pakistan, Hindus and Muslims. Forced by failing eyesight and weak hands, he bid goodbye to his writing journey in Kasauli - the quaint hill town which played an important part in his literary journey.Īs an era ends with the death of the grand old man of Indian literature, we look at some of his most important works - a difficult task given the immense body of work he leaves behind. He co-wrote The Good, The Bad and The Ridiculous with Humra Qureshi. The prolific author wrote his last book at the age of 98. He dabbled in all forms - from brilliant historical anthologies to moving novels to politically incisive comments to translations and social commentary. Counted amongst India's best authors and columnists, Khushwant Singh's joie de vivre, acid wit, courage and innate belief in human goodness were all reflected on the pages of his books.