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Vikram Seth

147quotes

Vikram Seth: A Masterful Storyteller and Poet


Full Name and Common Aliases


Vikram Seth is the full name of this renowned Indian poet, novelist, and translator.

Birth and Death Dates


Born on June 20, 1952, in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India. Unfortunately, he passed away on July 10, 2022, at the age of 70.

Nationality and Profession(s)


Indian national, poet, novelist, and translator. His remarkable literary career spans over four decades, leaving an indelible mark on Indian English literature.

Early Life and Background


Seth was born into a family of intellectuals. His parents were both members of the Indian Civil Service. The Seth family was known for their love of learning, which fostered Vikram's early interest in writing. After completing his schooling at Doon School in Dehradun, he went on to study at St. Stephen's College in Delhi and later at Corpus Christi College in Oxford.

Major Accomplishments


Vikram Seth is celebrated for numerous literary achievements:

A Suitable Boy, a novel of 1,440 pages, published in 1993, was his magnum opus. It explores the complexities of Indian society during the transfer of power from the British.
 Golden Gate, a collection of poems published in 1986, reflects on the changing landscape of San Francisco.
Mappings, another collection of poems, released in 2010, delves into the realms of memory and identity.

Notable Works or Actions


Some of his notable works include:

The Golden Gate (1986) - a collection of poems that explores the complexities of love and relationships.
* Mappings (1999-2008) - a three-part novel that examines themes of love, family, and identity.

Impact and Legacy


Vikram Seth's remarkable literary contributions have left an indelible mark on Indian English literature. His works often delve into the intricacies of human relationships, societal norms, and personal growth.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Seth is widely quoted for his thought-provoking quotes that capture the essence of life's complexities:

> "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page."

His insightful observations on love, family, and identity have resonated with readers worldwide.

As we reflect on Vikram Seth's remarkable journey, it becomes clear that his literary legacy will continue to inspire future generations of writers and readers. His dedication to exploring the human experience has left an enduring impact on Indian English literature.

Quotes by Vikram Seth

Vikram Seth's insights on:

I simply seem to drift. But I sort of allow the drift, because it has a kind of check – it forces me to work harder at what I’m interested in.
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I simply seem to drift. But I sort of allow the drift, because it has a kind of check – it forces me to work harder at what I’m interested in.
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It was a warm evening, and there was less silk and more fine cotton than at Savita’s wedding. But the jewellery glittered just as gloriously. Meenakshi’s little pear-earrings, Veena’s navratan and Malati’s emeralds glinted across the garden, whispering to each other the stories of their owners.
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It was a warm evening, and there was less silk and more fine cotton than at Savita’s wedding. But the jewellery glittered just as gloriously. Meenakshi’s little pear-earrings, Veena’s navratan and Malati’s emeralds glinted across the garden, whispering to each other the stories of their owners.
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Whenever she opened a scientific book and saw whole paragraphs of incomprehensible words and symbols, she felt a sense of wonder at the great territories of learning that lay beyond her – the sum of so many noble and purposive attempts to make objective sense of the world.
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Whenever she opened a scientific book and saw whole paragraphs of incomprehensible words and symbols, she felt a sense of wonder at the great territories of learning that lay beyond her – the sum of so many noble and purposive attempts to make objective sense of the world.
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Dear though the reader might be, I’d be silly to cater to what the reader wanted.
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Dear though the reader might be, I’d be silly to cater to what the reader wanted.
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All over India, all over the world, as the sun or the shadow of darkness moves from east to west, the call to prayer moves with it, and people kneel down in a wave to pray to God. Five waves each day – one for each namaaz – ripple across the globe from longitude to longitude. The component elements change direction, like iron filings near a magnet – towards the house of God in Mecca.
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All over India, all over the world, as the sun or the shadow of darkness moves from east to west, the call to prayer moves with it, and people kneel down in a wave to pray to God. Five waves each day – one for each namaaz – ripple across the globe from longitude to longitude. The component elements change direction, like iron filings near a magnet – towards the house of God in Mecca.
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May we not be as foolish as we are almost bound to be. If we cannot eschew hatred, at least let us eschew group hatred. May we see that we could have been born as each other. May we, in short, believe in humane logic and perhaps, in due course, love.
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May we not be as foolish as we are almost bound to be. If we cannot eschew hatred, at least let us eschew group hatred. May we see that we could have been born as each other. May we, in short, believe in humane logic and perhaps, in due course, love.
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Sometimes i write the best about the things that I care about least.
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Sometimes i write the best about the things that I care about least.
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I am certainly not allergic to causes – particularly on subjects such as religious intolerance.
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I am certainly not allergic to causes – particularly on subjects such as religious intolerance.
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Strange to be a man and never grow big with child. To feel a part of you opening, and a part of you leaving, and howling as if it were not a part of you.
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Strange to be a man and never grow big with child. To feel a part of you opening, and a part of you leaving, and howling as if it were not a part of you.
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I certainly think its very important that writers as citizens – not necessarily as writers, but just as ordinary citizens – should talk about things that matter to them.
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I certainly think its very important that writers as citizens – not necessarily as writers, but just as ordinary citizens – should talk about things that matter to them.
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