Ruskin Bond’s EXCLUSIVE Interview: ‘Difficult times shouldn’t discourage creativity; stories become important during uncertain times…’

Ruskin Bond has spent an entire life writing on characters that remained close to him. He believes that difficult times should not discourage creativity. Stories become even more important during uncertain times because they give people comfort, escape, and hope.

Edited excerpts from the interview:

What does a typical day in the life of Ruskin Bond look like?

My days are delightfully ordinary, and I think that is their charm. I wake up early, usually with the birds insisting that the day has already begun. I enjoy a quiet cup of tea, read a little, write a little, and spend time observing life from my window monkeys, schoolchildren, clouds drifting across the hills.

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Stories often arrive quietly like old friends. I still enjoy meeting readers, especially young ones. Festivals like The Ruskin Bond Literature Festival reminds me how stories continue to travel from one generation to another, and that gives me immense joy.

There is a documentary coming up on you on Sony Liv on you, if you could enlighten me on that.

Yes, there has been some work happening around a documentary film on me for the second season of Mastery by StoneX Global. The film explores my years in the hills, my relationship with readers, nature, and the journeys behind many of my stories. It hopes to capture not just the writer, but also the little world that quietly shaped me over the years. What makes this especially meaningful to me is the thought behind it.

Mastery is a philanthropic initiative dedicated to celebrating and promoting the seven forms of art. In many ways, this is more than simply a documentary about my life- it is a tribute to storytelling itself. That shared vision also inspired the creation of The Ruskin Bond Literature Festival. My grandson, Siddharth Bond, was particularly keen for me to be part of this project. He too believes deeply in nurturing storytelling and preserving literary culture for future generations, and I think this documentary is a meaningful step in that direction. I am happy to see organisations like StoneX Global coming together with the Ruskin Bond Foundation to support and nurture a profession I have devoted my life to. Together, they are helping stories, art, community, and meaningful conversations continue to flourish for years to come.

What is that you do keep yourself mentally young?

I remain curious. Curiosity is the secret. I still notice small things- the sound of rain on rooftops, an unusual face in a crowd, a child asking an unexpected question. Reading keeps one young too. And laughter, of course. One must never become too serious about life. Young people also keep me mentally young. Whenever I meet readers at schools or literary festivals, I feel hopeful and energised.

What does fitness mean to you?

At my age, fitness simply means being able to enjoy life every day. A short walk, fresh mountain air, sleeping well, and keeping the mind active- that is enough for me. Writing itself is an exercise of the mind and spirit. I don’t believe in pushing routines. A happy heart and a peaceful mind are also forms of fitness.

A day in the lif eof Ruskin Bond

Your message to those who want to make a living out of writing books?

Write because you love writing, not because you wish to become famous quickly. Fame is unpredictable, but the joy of writing is dependable. Read widely, observe people carefully, and be patient with yourself. A writer’s life is built slowly, word by word. Sometimes the world may not notice your work immediately, but sincerity always finds its readers eventually.

Is it advisable in today’s world with the economic doldrums to take up writing as a full-time profession?

It is practical to be sensible. One may need another profession while nurturing one’s writing. Many fine writers were teachers, journalists, clerks, or travellers before literature fully supported them. But difficult times should not discourage creativity. Stories become even more important during uncertain times because they give people comfort, escape, and hope.

With technology taking over reading from podcasts to audiobooks; do you think it’s a good change?

I think every generation discovers stories in its own way. If audiobooks and podcasts encourage people to listen to stories while travelling or resting, that is a wonderful thing. Storytelling began as an oral tradition long before printed books arrived. In some ways, audiobooks are taking us back to that warmth of listening. Of course, I still hope people continue turning the pages of physical books too- there is a certain magic in that experience.

Today’s generation is falling out of the habit of reading; what is your take on that?

I don’t entirely believe young people have stopped reading. They are reading differently- on screens, on phones, in shorter forms perhaps- but the appetite for stories still exists. The challenge is not to complain about changing habits, but to make reading exciting again. Introduce children to stories early, let them discover books freely, and never force reading like homework.