He is what he is
Shahriar Feroze draws lessons from a vibrant writer
The Lessons of My Life under the title Khushwantnama are particularly for those who constantly complain about life and living, for those who wish to gather small pieces of wisdom too.
In general, it is for all of us. Not for any specific target audience.
Let me reveal a small secret. If there is one man who has lived and despite being 98 seems not to retire from writing, then he lives in one of the houses in New Delhi's Sujan Singh Park by the name of one Khushwant Singh. The grand old man of India may be 98 but nothing seems to stop the nonagenarian from writing down his thoughts in his own style. Often labelled as a provoking raconteur, India's most prolific writer has, over the years, enlightened as well as outraged his readers in equal extent – but not without enriching our lives with his humour, honesty and sharp observations with a sheer touch of his wisdom.
Of late Singh's writings are more focused on reflections of a life that has been lived to the limits. Khushwantnama is the latest among his anthology of writings, covering subjects as diverse as old age leading to the fear of death; the pleasures of poetry and the importance of laughter; on how to cope with retirement and live a long, happy and healthy life. Politics, politicians and the future of India; and of course the myriad joys of sex.
Apart from the Introduction, the book contains sixteen chapters. Each of the chapters is written from journalistic-cum-writers' standpoints. Three chapters in particular – (i) The business of writing, (ii) What it takes to be a writer and (ii) Journalism Then and Now – I believe to be relevant for writers and journalists.
The last but one chapter of this book is the one captioned: 'Twelve tips to live long and be happy.' Agree or disagree, all the twelve tips are scientifically as well as spiritually true.
In the view of this reviewer, two elements have separated Khushwant Singh from most of his contemporaries as well as writers of present-day India.
What are they?
First, his simplistic but thought provoking simple writing which reveals his wisdom; second, his viewpoints. Singh recounts his subjects never from radical stances. As a result his readers are left to disagree, other than loathing him. However you judge him, he is the oldest as well as one of the saner writers living today.
Through the last chapter of the book, 'Epitaph', Singh defines his wishes to be remembered in a queer fashion.
It runs as follows:
How would I like to be remembered when I am gone? I would like to be remembered as someone who made people smile. A few years ago, I wrote my own epitaph:
'Here lies one who spared neither man nor God
Waste not your tears on him, he was a sod
Writing nasty things he regarded as great fun
Thank the Lord he is dead, this son of a gun.'
Khushwant Singh is what he is, but he is always a fascinating read. This can be guaranteed.
Shahriar Feroze is current affairs analyst at The Daily Star.
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