The much-awaited new book on Indian folktales – ‘Indian Folktales Retold’ by Ruskin Bond was released on Sunday at The Green Bookshop by Chief Secretary S Ramaswamy in the presence of the author to a packed audience that consisted of a special group of school students. The book release saw Bond becoming emotional when he recalled having lost his father when he was ten years old and missing him to this day, in reply to a question put up by a school student.
Releasing the book, Ramaswamy complimented the popular author for giving readers marvellous stories and spoke of various accolades presented upon Ruskin Bond which he so richly deserves. He shared his own experience of having met Bond in his young days. Ramaswamy was of the opinion that the folktale is the ancestor of the modern short story.
The writer with a large fan-following then fielded some interesting questions related to his writing and his personal life. The enthusiastic group of students who had especially driven from Hissar in Haryana only to meet the author then put forth a string of interesting questions related to his writings and his personal life. Many of the students were very keen to know much about Ruskin Bond’s own school days. Students asked a variety of questions about his favourite subject in school, Bond’s conduct and relationship with his teachers during his boarding school days. The author gave frank and honest answers to the questions. The candid discussion ended with a moving question asked about the person who inspired Bond the most, replying to which he turned emotional stating that he lost his father when he was just 10 years old but missed him even today.
According to Upendra Arora of Natraj Publishers, ‘Indian Folktales Retold’ is a collection of stories told with Bond’s sparkling wit which are a treasure trove of fun and wisdom, fables of the perennial battle between the good and the evil in which the wise always win. There are lessons to be learnt from these sanctuaries- old stories. Readers will learn something of life from them, added Arora.