subject: The Voice Of Secular India [print this page] His columns are one of the most read ones in the country. His secular ideals surpass the thinking and imagination of any common man in the country. The name is Khushwant Singh, an Indo-Anglian novelist, he is best known for his strong secularism, humor, and an abiding love for poetry. His comparisons of social and behavioural characteristics of Westerners and Indians are laced with acid wit. Singh has served as editor of several literary and news magazines, as well as two broadsheet newspapers. He is a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan the second highest civilian award in India. Listing below some of Singhs most popular books.
Delhi: A Novel
A product of 25 years of libidinal excursions into literature, Singh interprets the history of Delhi in a rather candid way. Only a master of history mixed with language can write such an erudite thesis on the expulsion of wind from the nether orifices. The weaving of the past and the present with a characteristic Khushwant-style bawdy humour can be appreciated truly only by the denizens of Delhi who have grown up reading his novels, articles and jokes. Only true Khushwant Singh fans can appreciate the untying of the Pyjama Cord of History that he has attempted in this novel.
The Train to Pakistan
One of the most recommended books on the India Pakistan partition episode, The Train to Pakistan is a journey across lands and cultures dividing a country that once lived in peace and harmony. To get some insight on the people behind the muslim-sikh-hindu troubles in India and Pakistan, this is a must-read. It is a brilliant story told in a way that gives the reader an excellent insight on the human factor during the time of the separation and liberation of India and Pakistan. A stranger, a non-religious muslim who has spent most of his life in England and a modern thinker comes to a small village on what was to be the border between Pakistan and India. Sikhs and muslims live in peace but as the world around them starts to crumble hell soon breaks loose. In the centre of it all is a young couple from different religions whose fate together is made impossible from this sudden outburst of sectarianism on both sides.
With Malice towards One and All
No, its not a book. The most read column, With Malice towards One and All was the weekly column series published by Khushwant Singh in a leading English daily of India occupying two full length columns on the editorial page of the Saturday edition. His comparisons of social and behavioural characteristics of westerners and Indians, laced with his inimitable wit, was the punch line of this hugely popular series.
