Vikram Seth

Why Is He famous?
The world famous writer and poet Vikram Seth was born in Kolkata, India. Vikram Seth possesses the art of creating a living and breathing world that keeps the readers focused and engaged. Vikram Seth has published 6 books of poetry and 3 novels. In 1986, Vikram Seth wrote The Golden Gate, his first novel. The publication of "A Suitable Boy", the 1,349 page mega novel propelled Seth into the public limelight. "A suitable boy" won the W.H.Smith prize in 1993. 'An Equal music' by Seth deals with the troubled love life of a violinist. For his services to literature, Vikram Seth has received one of Britain's top honors. The award of the commander of the order 3 of the British Empire was given to Seth in February 2001. Vikram Seth's latest work is "Two Lives" (2005), a memoir of the marriage of his great uncle and aunt.

Vikram Seth has written some very fine poems also. His poetry includes Mappings (1980), From Heaven Lake (1983), The Humble Administrator's Garden (1985), All You Who Sleep Tonight: Poems (1990) and Three Chinese Poets (1992). His children's book, Beastly Tales from Here and There (1992) consists of ten stories about animals. Vikram Seth has also authored a travel book, From Heaven Lake: Travels through Sin kiang and Tibet (1983). It is an account of a journey through Tibet, China and Nepal. Vikram Seth was also commissioned by the English National Opera to write a libretto based on the Greek legend of Arion and the Dolphin. The opera was performed for the first time in June 1994.

Background
Vikram Seth was born in 1952, Kolkata, India. He is the son of Leila Seth, the first woman Chief Justice of India. He got his early education at the Doon school. Seth left India to study at Oxford University, earning a degree in philosophy, politics, and economics. He further enrolled at the Stanford University, intending to get a PhD in Economics, but never completed his study. During the period from 1980-1982, Vikram Seth studied classical Chinese poetry at Nanjing University, China. Vikram Seth has traveled widely and lived in Britain, California, India and China.