Bond, in a conversation with the author, talks about his old Christmases.
(Photo Courtesy: Jaskiran Chopra)
(This article was originally published on 22 December 2017 and has been republished from The Quint's archives.)
With the Christmas tree having been brought in by his great-grandchildren (remember that he has a large adopted family!), plum cake ordered in enormous quantities and presents bought for each other, Ruskin Bond’s home – Ivy Cottage – in Landour, Mussoorie is all ready for Christmas festivities.
When I met him this morning, he shared with me what a soft corner he has for Christmas cake.
He laughs as he says this in a conspiratorial tone. I know that he has a sweet tooth which he is always trying to struggle against.
Bond in a relaxed mood, in his study, as I meet him.
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He gets nostalgic as we talk about Christmas times of the Doon valley. Bond spent many a wonderful Christmas with his grandparents in the Doon valley as a child in the 1940s. Dehradun, he remembers, was a recreation centre for American and British troops in those war years.
An old photograph of Ruskin Bond in his home in the hills.
Bond spent his winter vacations with Ellen Clerke, his maternal grandmother who had a lovely house on Old Survey Road. His grandfather, an Anglo-Indian, had settled down in the Doon valley after retiring from the Railways.
Bond can also clearly recall the children’s parties where an adult would come dressed as Santa and play with the kids and entertain them.
“The White House Hotel in Dehradun had a dance hall which got burnt down later. It had a good flooring, which one can see even today,” says Bond, adding that this was a popular hall for Christmas and New Year dances.
The bustling Mussoorie market close to where Bond lives.
Christmas parties at Grandmother Clerke’s home were a particular source of joy for a young Bond, as he reminisces the food he’s gorge on
Today, he celebrates with his large family that includes grandchildren and great grandchildren – all of whom prepare his favourite dishes.
Bond with a couple of his fans in Ivy Cottage.
For Bond, Christmas is celebrated best at home.
When he settled down in Mussoorie in 1963, however, the hill station wore a deserted look during winters.
A lot has changed since he arrived as a 29-year-old young man to settle down in the hills which he loved greatly. Shops no longer close down for the winter along with the schools. Earlier, as soon as the schools closed for the three-month winter vacation, Mussoorie would turn into a ghost town.
“In the 1970s, Savoy started the practice of opening in winter,” reminisces Ruskin Bond.
Christmas celebrations on a large scale began in the 1980s in Mussoorie and increased in the 1990s. A winter carnival is being held this year from December 25 to 30, for which Bond is the brand ambassador.
As I leave, he tells me that Christmas cakes, as usual, will be arriving from many readers (fans). “They all think I need some fattening up!” he says with a bright smile.
(Dr Jaskiran Chopra is a senior journalist and author based in Dehra Dun. She also teaches university students.)
(This article was originally published on 22 December 2017 and has been republished from The Quint's archives.)
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