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No Full Stops in India
India’s Westernized elite, cut off from local traditions, ‘want to write a full stop in a land where there are no full stops’. From that striking insight Mark Tully has woven a superb series of ‘stories’ which explore Calcutta, from the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad (probably the biggest religious festival in the world) to the televising of a Hindu epic. Throughout, he combines analysis of major issues with a feel for the fine texture and human realities of Indian life. The result is a revelation.
'The ten essays, written with clarity, warmth of feeling and critical balance and understanding, provide as lively a view as one can hope for of the panorama of India.’ K. Natwar-Singh in the Financial Times
'The ten essays, written with clarity, warmth of feeling and critical balance and understanding, provide as lively a view as one can hope for of the panorama of India.’ K. Natwar-Singh in the Financial Times
336 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1991
About the author
Mark Tully
48 books130 followersSir William Mark Tully was the Chief of Bureau for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in New Delhi for 22 years. Schooled in England, he stayed mostly in India covering all major incidents in South Asia during his tenure. He was made an Officer of The Order of the British Empire in 1985 and was awarded the Padma Shree in 1992, a rare distinction for a non-Indian. He was knighted in the 2002 New Year Honours. In 2005 he received the Padma Bhushan.
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May 29, 2012
A book published in 1991, and so the best part about it is that it involves a fair amount of time travel. It's a collection of 10 essays with an introduction and epilogue that could pass off as mini essays too! While all of the essays are commentaries, what adds that little flavour is the author's own involvement in it, which he somehow manages to balance with a near objective view. The first essay, for instance, involves the marriage of his cook's daughter, and his experience at the village. But it also is about how communities in villages have been solving their own problems even better than the land's relatively new legal system. It thus serves as an example of how we, the 'educated elite' make a clamour for egalitarianism without understanding the positives of the caste system.
Cultural imperialism is the theme of the next essay and is brought out through the carvings at Mahabalipuram, and the interaction and friction between British artists (sculptors) and their Indian counterparts, whom they rate slightly lesser- as craftsmen. The essay also touches upon Dalit Christians and how they are discriminated against even within the Church.
The Kumbh Mela is what the third essay is about and is a vivid telling of the massive festival. The author spends time with VP Singh's brother, and meets the various people who ply their trade in this enormous festival - the pandas and later, the akharas who look to recruit people or get donations. In this, there is a note of sarcasm that creeps in occasionally, but Tully still manages to capture the faith driven fervour superbly. He has also correctly predicted the potential rise of communal parties towards the end of the essay.
One of the most interesting essays is the fourth one, especially for my generation which grew up watching Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan! The author reminded me of the impact of this mega serial long before we had reality TV and TRPs - taxi drivers who knocked on the author's door asking for permission to watch it in his house, cabinet swearing in postponed so everyone could watch it, and so on. He spends 2 days with the Sagars while they're shooting the Uttararamayan section (owing to public demand) and there Ramanand Sagar tells him how he has handled feminists and also the story of his own life. There is an amusing part about the filming of a scene - Lakshman having biscuits between takes, reusing marigolds for extra takes, and so on.
Operation Black Thunder is a more serious essay which involves covering the whole event live. This was an era before live TV and omnipresent crews and the author tries to delve deeper into how a section of the Sikhs and the Central and State governments reached this point, with interviews of civil servants and military, police personnel.
Colonialism in Calcutta is probably my favourite essay as Tully takes us through the city where Marxism, industries and religion co-exist side by side amidst bare remnants of an earlier era. In between are interesting anecdotes like the Oberoi Hotel's origins. This happens to be the author's birthplace and the affection does really come through.
The next one was a surprise since it dealt with a modern day case of Sati and it has never been proved whether it was suicide or murder. The author gets the varying perspectives of the villagers, politicians, civil servants, activists, the extended family, and it does bring out how laws at the end of day, should be made understanding the minds of the people they are made for.
Typhoon in Ahmedabad also surprised me but apparently that's the name they use for riots! This is an era before Narendra Modi left his indelible mark and does show that riots existed long before him. The poor - both Hindu and Muslim, seem the most affected in the politically motivated result of a nexus between politicians and the underworld. SEWA's activities also get some space as does Ahmedabad as a city.
A journey into Madhya Pradesh in what was the national vehicle of the time - the Ambassador, makes up the next essay. The destination is the village of an artist who has made it (relatively) big in Bhopal with the help of a government program. Jabalpur, the inconspicuous geographical centre of India, represents eminently the feel of a tier 3 city in the mid-late 80s. This essay also covers ground on tribals, their belief systems and I also found what could be the precursor to Arundhati Roy's essays
about the Narmada.
The last essay is about Digvijay Narain Singh, the politician from Bihar who also happens to be the author's close friend. He belongs to an era when politicians had a conscience, and while you could say that the author is biased, much of the perspective is reportage - opinions from others. The politician's relationships with Nehru, Indira Gandhi are well chronicled and throws light on the kind of politician who took the responsibility of being a public servant seriously.
The epilogue is a note on Rajiv Gandhi, and through this, the state of India as a nation. It ends with the news of Rajiv's death and the author's perspective on what this means for a nation.
In essence, a wonderful read that gave me insights about a time when I was too young to dwell on things happening around me and events that ultimately affected the present I live in.
Cultural imperialism is the theme of the next essay and is brought out through the carvings at Mahabalipuram, and the interaction and friction between British artists (sculptors) and their Indian counterparts, whom they rate slightly lesser- as craftsmen. The essay also touches upon Dalit Christians and how they are discriminated against even within the Church.
The Kumbh Mela is what the third essay is about and is a vivid telling of the massive festival. The author spends time with VP Singh's brother, and meets the various people who ply their trade in this enormous festival - the pandas and later, the akharas who look to recruit people or get donations. In this, there is a note of sarcasm that creeps in occasionally, but Tully still manages to capture the faith driven fervour superbly. He has also correctly predicted the potential rise of communal parties towards the end of the essay.
One of the most interesting essays is the fourth one, especially for my generation which grew up watching Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan! The author reminded me of the impact of this mega serial long before we had reality TV and TRPs - taxi drivers who knocked on the author's door asking for permission to watch it in his house, cabinet swearing in postponed so everyone could watch it, and so on. He spends 2 days with the Sagars while they're shooting the Uttararamayan section (owing to public demand) and there Ramanand Sagar tells him how he has handled feminists and also the story of his own life. There is an amusing part about the filming of a scene - Lakshman having biscuits between takes, reusing marigolds for extra takes, and so on.
Operation Black Thunder is a more serious essay which involves covering the whole event live. This was an era before live TV and omnipresent crews and the author tries to delve deeper into how a section of the Sikhs and the Central and State governments reached this point, with interviews of civil servants and military, police personnel.
Colonialism in Calcutta is probably my favourite essay as Tully takes us through the city where Marxism, industries and religion co-exist side by side amidst bare remnants of an earlier era. In between are interesting anecdotes like the Oberoi Hotel's origins. This happens to be the author's birthplace and the affection does really come through.
The next one was a surprise since it dealt with a modern day case of Sati and it has never been proved whether it was suicide or murder. The author gets the varying perspectives of the villagers, politicians, civil servants, activists, the extended family, and it does bring out how laws at the end of day, should be made understanding the minds of the people they are made for.
Typhoon in Ahmedabad also surprised me but apparently that's the name they use for riots! This is an era before Narendra Modi left his indelible mark and does show that riots existed long before him. The poor - both Hindu and Muslim, seem the most affected in the politically motivated result of a nexus between politicians and the underworld. SEWA's activities also get some space as does Ahmedabad as a city.
A journey into Madhya Pradesh in what was the national vehicle of the time - the Ambassador, makes up the next essay. The destination is the village of an artist who has made it (relatively) big in Bhopal with the help of a government program. Jabalpur, the inconspicuous geographical centre of India, represents eminently the feel of a tier 3 city in the mid-late 80s. This essay also covers ground on tribals, their belief systems and I also found what could be the precursor to Arundhati Roy's essays
about the Narmada.
The last essay is about Digvijay Narain Singh, the politician from Bihar who also happens to be the author's close friend. He belongs to an era when politicians had a conscience, and while you could say that the author is biased, much of the perspective is reportage - opinions from others. The politician's relationships with Nehru, Indira Gandhi are well chronicled and throws light on the kind of politician who took the responsibility of being a public servant seriously.
The epilogue is a note on Rajiv Gandhi, and through this, the state of India as a nation. It ends with the news of Rajiv's death and the author's perspective on what this means for a nation.
In essence, a wonderful read that gave me insights about a time when I was too young to dwell on things happening around me and events that ultimately affected the present I live in.
September 14, 2016
It is not a story, it is true things happening, happened and going to happen in future also.
Mark Tully described the India, it's culture and the politics existing in the country.
He shared his days with his maid in Ram Chandra's Story. He depicted one of the worlds largest religious gathering in The Kumbh Mela.
Mark Tully taken me in to the Golden Temple. His cover story on the operation held in Golden Temple he describe who's and who struggled during the Black Thunder operation between police and militants.
Author narrate the ruling of communist government for 35 years in Calcutta the so called Kolkata. He wrote about the Sati, a Hindu funeral custom where a widow immolated herself on her husband's pyre, or committed suicide in another fashion shortly after her husband's death. He wrote about a women who followed the Sati and he describe her as a decorated Sati.
Apart from these points, he narrated about artists, Typhoon persona, Ramyana Story, defeat of congressman ,etc.
Overall, the topics clearly describes there is no full stops in India.
Mark Tully described the India, it's culture and the politics existing in the country.
He shared his days with his maid in Ram Chandra's Story. He depicted one of the worlds largest religious gathering in The Kumbh Mela.
Mark Tully taken me in to the Golden Temple. His cover story on the operation held in Golden Temple he describe who's and who struggled during the Black Thunder operation between police and militants.
Author narrate the ruling of communist government for 35 years in Calcutta the so called Kolkata. He wrote about the Sati, a Hindu funeral custom where a widow immolated herself on her husband's pyre, or committed suicide in another fashion shortly after her husband's death. He wrote about a women who followed the Sati and he describe her as a decorated Sati.
Apart from these points, he narrated about artists, Typhoon persona, Ramyana Story, defeat of congressman ,etc.
Overall, the topics clearly describes there is no full stops in India.
June 18, 2019
Mark Tully worked with BBC India about 30 years and this book was published in the later half of this stint. It is a collection of essays on a motley of topics that assembles the important facets of Indian politics. It is shocking how most of the issues are not only relevant but have either stagnated or putrefied with time.
The essay 'The New Colonialism' paints a clear picture of cultural imperialism and how richer Indians buried their own graves and paved way for the plundering of the poor over something of no intrinsic value.
'The Kumbh Mela' is an interesting essay that talks about the Allahabad-Prayag conflict between Hindus and Muslims and how there are rogues for middlemen between God and people. 'The Deolara Sati' deals with predicaments ensuing from religious faith. These essays clearly show the politicians in power inept and indifferent in handling matters of religion. 'The Rewriting of the Ramayan' is an entertaining essay on capitalism, marketing, and deals with creation of religious identity.
'Operation Black Thunder' and 'Typhoon in Ahmedabad' deal with terrorism and riots. The former is a consequence of the separatists and the latter is a work of political parties. 'The Defeat of a Congressman' is a piece on Digvijay Singh and his political affiliation, background, ideologies, and the political events in his failed career.
The essays are very well written and designed to entertain. I could detect some amount of exaggeration, bias, and/or deception in a few paragraphs. However, it is decently compensated by Tully's comprehensive reporting.
The essay 'The New Colonialism' paints a clear picture of cultural imperialism and how richer Indians buried their own graves and paved way for the plundering of the poor over something of no intrinsic value.
'The Kumbh Mela' is an interesting essay that talks about the Allahabad-Prayag conflict between Hindus and Muslims and how there are rogues for middlemen between God and people. 'The Deolara Sati' deals with predicaments ensuing from religious faith. These essays clearly show the politicians in power inept and indifferent in handling matters of religion. 'The Rewriting of the Ramayan' is an entertaining essay on capitalism, marketing, and deals with creation of religious identity.
'Operation Black Thunder' and 'Typhoon in Ahmedabad' deal with terrorism and riots. The former is a consequence of the separatists and the latter is a work of political parties. 'The Defeat of a Congressman' is a piece on Digvijay Singh and his political affiliation, background, ideologies, and the political events in his failed career.
The essays are very well written and designed to entertain. I could detect some amount of exaggeration, bias, and/or deception in a few paragraphs. However, it is decently compensated by Tully's comprehensive reporting.
January 12, 2022
The book has 10 essays on various issues of the 80s and 90s. One may not agree with Tully's view but this book has a wealth of information of that decade. And strangely I was found l myself comparing India of two decades back with that of the current. A lot of the situations still exist. It is interesting to see the sharp curve of certain aspects mentioned in the book.
January 19, 2010
The man I stayed with in Goa reccommended this book for me to read, I wanted something about Indian history/politics/culture -- and not some white upper-middle class woman's spiritual experience as a tourist or whatever. /No Full Stops In India/ was perfect for me, entertaining essays and insights by a former BBC journalist who truly loved the country. The book is comprised of 10 chapters, plus an introduction and an epilogue.
"Ram Chander's Story" is about Tully's servant: his life, their relationship, attending his daughter's marriage. It is a fitting first chapter to the book, gives a taste of the humour, tales, thoughts and insights of a white man absorbing and living in Indian culture.
"The New Colonialism" deals with the lasting impact of the british raj and how the Indian elite, with their western values, are shaping the country and infiltrating every sector of the culture - sometimes misguidedly.
"The Kumbh Mela" is the description of a religious event that is thuroughly Indian. I read this chapter in Hampi in Northern Karnataka the day of a similar festival where I'd gotten so frustrated at the Indians lack of order and masses of humanity that prevented me from getting from one side of a river to another because every time people tried to board a boat, too many got on and it started sinking. Rather than organize the crowd into a queue, they stopped the boat shuttles altogether until the second boat was finished being built.... Enterprising Indians took advantage of the situation and offered to ferry people across in coricles (essentially wicker baskets) to make some easy money. The whole ordeal reminded me of this chapter of the book...
"The Rewriting of the Ramayan" is about he intersection of india's film industry, religion/mythologies, and general culture.
"Operation Black Thunder" is one of the more political-events focused piecies in the book, about Sikh extreamism and the sensitive way the Indian government police and army deals with religious fundamentalism.
"Communism in Calcutta" talks about the crazy politics of India and one groups attempt to revitalize India.
"The Deorala Sati" is about a country and caste coming to terms with questionable religious practices, as well as how feminists are seen in India.
"Typhoon in Ahmedabad" talks about the shady local politics surrounding riots and religious differences, and highlights the disconect between the politicans and the poor, and the press and the poor.
"The Return of the Artist" is a story quintecentially Indian, similar to the opening chapter it is funny but informative at the same time.
"The Defeat of a Congressman" is a sad last story about Indian politics and one mans attempt to make good for India despite the beurocracies qnd confusions.
Really interesting book, I think Mark Tully provides an interesting view od Indian culture and politics. My main problem I had was the fact that it was written in 1990, and I'm sure a ton has happened in India since them so I'm not sure how much of uis ideas are still totally relevant.
"Ram Chander's Story" is about Tully's servant: his life, their relationship, attending his daughter's marriage. It is a fitting first chapter to the book, gives a taste of the humour, tales, thoughts and insights of a white man absorbing and living in Indian culture.
"The New Colonialism" deals with the lasting impact of the british raj and how the Indian elite, with their western values, are shaping the country and infiltrating every sector of the culture - sometimes misguidedly.
"The Kumbh Mela" is the description of a religious event that is thuroughly Indian. I read this chapter in Hampi in Northern Karnataka the day of a similar festival where I'd gotten so frustrated at the Indians lack of order and masses of humanity that prevented me from getting from one side of a river to another because every time people tried to board a boat, too many got on and it started sinking. Rather than organize the crowd into a queue, they stopped the boat shuttles altogether until the second boat was finished being built.... Enterprising Indians took advantage of the situation and offered to ferry people across in coricles (essentially wicker baskets) to make some easy money. The whole ordeal reminded me of this chapter of the book...
"The Rewriting of the Ramayan" is about he intersection of india's film industry, religion/mythologies, and general culture.
"Operation Black Thunder" is one of the more political-events focused piecies in the book, about Sikh extreamism and the sensitive way the Indian government police and army deals with religious fundamentalism.
"Communism in Calcutta" talks about the crazy politics of India and one groups attempt to revitalize India.
"The Deorala Sati" is about a country and caste coming to terms with questionable religious practices, as well as how feminists are seen in India.
"Typhoon in Ahmedabad" talks about the shady local politics surrounding riots and religious differences, and highlights the disconect between the politicans and the poor, and the press and the poor.
"The Return of the Artist" is a story quintecentially Indian, similar to the opening chapter it is funny but informative at the same time.
"The Defeat of a Congressman" is a sad last story about Indian politics and one mans attempt to make good for India despite the beurocracies qnd confusions.
Really interesting book, I think Mark Tully provides an interesting view od Indian culture and politics. My main problem I had was the fact that it was written in 1990, and I'm sure a ton has happened in India since them so I'm not sure how much of uis ideas are still totally relevant.
June 17, 2013
Mark Tully's analysis of India and its problems are quite disruptive. He makes no attempt to hide the realities, on how more than 30% of India is below poverty line and yet the brown colonists(Mind you that includes even me) are proud of their global identity but fail to address their local problems. This book took me off guard when Tully came out clean as a non hypocrite and accepts the role of the British for much of economic backwardness in India. Although written in 1991 this book is still quite relevant today. One of the most interesting ideas in the book is the outlook that solutions to much of India's problems lies not in discarding its past, but embracing it. Indian religion,customs and traditions have always been evolving to suit the times and thats what we need to do, evolve our pasts to make it relevant for today. What makes this a wonderful read is Tully's Unadulterated love for India and Its people.
April 9, 2018
A brilliant collection of articles by the veteran BBC journo covering several important events and some less well-known incident during his time in India.
January 16, 2019
A collection of ten essays that look into various aspects of the country, all ten drawn from the vast experience that Mark Tully has from decades of reporting in India. Each essay deals with a specific topic, and covers many areas, from the Kumbh Mela to communism to Operation Black Thunder. Arguing against the typical Western gaze towards India that is a mix of pity and self-pride, Tully gives a new perspective, one that admonishes looking at India through lenses framed in the West. While calling for Indian answers to Indian problems, he is aware of the distance that he holds from the heart and soul of the 'real India', and asks non-Indians (and elite Indians) to admit the same.
The book is as easy a read as any non-fiction book could get, and clearly Tully's experience as a journalist helps here. Though his praises for India seem at times a bit too much (one might find a subtle legitimation of caste and an undue praise of the non-modern, non-city life and a corresponding rejection of most things Western), there is no doubt that this comes from genuine love and respect that the author holds for India and its complexities and chaos. While Tully's book might seem to be bordering on fatalism, that is not his intention. While the book can be criticized for giving a flowery view of India at the expense of the scores of issues that plague the country (Tully does throw a lot of light on most of these problems, and in a balanced way too, but the reader hardly feels that something is wrong. This cannot be coincidental.), Tully needs to be credited for covering as wide a view as possible through these ten essays, giving the reader a panoramic view of the mammoth that is India.
The book is as easy a read as any non-fiction book could get, and clearly Tully's experience as a journalist helps here. Though his praises for India seem at times a bit too much (one might find a subtle legitimation of caste and an undue praise of the non-modern, non-city life and a corresponding rejection of most things Western), there is no doubt that this comes from genuine love and respect that the author holds for India and its complexities and chaos. While Tully's book might seem to be bordering on fatalism, that is not his intention. While the book can be criticized for giving a flowery view of India at the expense of the scores of issues that plague the country (Tully does throw a lot of light on most of these problems, and in a balanced way too, but the reader hardly feels that something is wrong. This cannot be coincidental.), Tully needs to be credited for covering as wide a view as possible through these ten essays, giving the reader a panoramic view of the mammoth that is India.
March 22, 2013
Time and again I have to run to Britishers to learn about my history or events in recent past. Michael Wood showed me some never seen before places in "Story of India". Mark Tully takes me to 60's and 70's when some of the major events in post-independent India happened and changed the course of history forever. Mark Tully is a journalist and hence his writing comes across as objective. Which is good in a sense you don't want to take any sides and just watch history as it is. Some of his commentary seemed not relevant today, but it must be true in the decades following independence. I particularly like chapters on communism, Ramayan and Operation Black Thunder.
February 14, 2015
Ten chapters, ten essays on aspects of India. Published in 1991, shortly after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, it reads a little dated to me.
Some chapters were great - Ram Chander's Story, The Kumbh Mela, Operation Black Thunder & The Deorala Sati were the best, a few others were good, but the purely political essays were less appealing.
Some chapters were great - Ram Chander's Story, The Kumbh Mela, Operation Black Thunder & The Deorala Sati were the best, a few others were good, but the purely political essays were less appealing.
February 3, 2024
Funny, fast and intentionally superficial.
Happy reading.
Happy reading.
May 9, 2022
A nice set of essays set in the 80s and 90s of India
Easy read that gave some much needed insights into a different Indian era. The selection is diverse and the viewpoints of the author are reasonably open
Easy read that gave some much needed insights into a different Indian era. The selection is diverse and the viewpoints of the author are reasonably open
July 15, 2020
I can't give a book that has affected the way I think so profoundly less than 4 stars. Although the pure political topics were a bit dry, this book has opened my eyes in my approach to thinking about my home country, and any culture that is different from my own.
While I won't necessarily recommend this book to anyone without a vested interest in India specifically, I found that it came at the right time for me, and I was able to truly understand what Mark Tully (a retired BBC journalist reporting from the country and current Indian resident) was trying to say.
In each chapter, he explores various authentic issues in India through journalistic interviews, and then presents a wide-angle opinion and analysis of the topic.
I especially enjoyed the chapters about Ram Chander's story, the Kumbh Mela, and the concept of sati in India.
While I won't necessarily recommend this book to anyone without a vested interest in India specifically, I found that it came at the right time for me, and I was able to truly understand what Mark Tully (a retired BBC journalist reporting from the country and current Indian resident) was trying to say.
In each chapter, he explores various authentic issues in India through journalistic interviews, and then presents a wide-angle opinion and analysis of the topic.
I especially enjoyed the chapters about Ram Chander's story, the Kumbh Mela, and the concept of sati in India.
January 12, 2024
Pretty hard political commentary on different sections of Indian society. While I found some enlightening, especially concerning women faced with a modernising society that remains steeped in tradition, and while some read like fiction with gorgeous poetic descriptions, overall the book was a little tedious to read, with too many names, dates, places, and not enough fat to chew on.
May 9, 2017
A white man rediscovering Indian! - how someone very eloquently and aptly described the book to me. This books feel like its written by an Englishman with not much understanding on the complexities of India. Not really expected of a journalist who has spent a substantial time in India.
While there are a few things Mr Tully has rightly identified as a problem in India - for example elite following the west blindly and denigrating their own country, sadly his advice to these "English Speaking"egalitarian elite is to - embrace the caste system and allow religion in politics!
Mr Tully also believes the rise of Hindu Fundamentalism in India is because the same elite is taught to "...disturb the religious belief of those who have no hope for any other comfort". Someone really needs to explain to him that these Hindu Fundamentalist and their million supports are on the rise not because they are not allowed to follow cast system and their religious belief in politics, but due to a general belief of the majority community that while the successive govt over the years have claimed to be secular, they have in fact indulged in an unabated minority appeasement policy. Add to this rampant corruption and a complete lack of real development despite modernization and you have the community looking for alternatives, even if it is far right in nature.
While there are a few things Mr Tully has rightly identified as a problem in India - for example elite following the west blindly and denigrating their own country, sadly his advice to these "English Speaking"egalitarian elite is to - embrace the caste system and allow religion in politics!
Mr Tully also believes the rise of Hindu Fundamentalism in India is because the same elite is taught to "...disturb the religious belief of those who have no hope for any other comfort". Someone really needs to explain to him that these Hindu Fundamentalist and their million supports are on the rise not because they are not allowed to follow cast system and their religious belief in politics, but due to a general belief of the majority community that while the successive govt over the years have claimed to be secular, they have in fact indulged in an unabated minority appeasement policy. Add to this rampant corruption and a complete lack of real development despite modernization and you have the community looking for alternatives, even if it is far right in nature.
September 17, 2015
Written by the last man standing in the line of Burra Sahebs, ‘Sir Mark Tully’s’ “No Full Stops in India” is a collection of 10 essays on his view of India.
As an English man born in India and the head of BBC for several years, he offers a unique perspective on both the political and social set-up experienced in his time. His writing covers a lot of different aspects of an India that we may have not experienced. From the life of his servant to the madness of Khumb Mela. From the beginning of Marxism in Calcutta (as it was then known) and the rewriting of epic Hindu poem Ramayana into a very popular TV serial of its time by Ramanand Sagar and his family. He also gives us an first hand view inside the politically charged "Operation Black Thunder" in Amritsar covering both the sides of the Army and the Police. And then unravels the Deorala Sati episode which brought a small village in Rajasthan in the eye of the storm.
Every story has been covered dispassionately by him. And it works on a few levels. You end up reading the book objectively as a bystander without getting involved with any of the characters. Not one of the best books on India but a good one to have in your kitty.
As an English man born in India and the head of BBC for several years, he offers a unique perspective on both the political and social set-up experienced in his time. His writing covers a lot of different aspects of an India that we may have not experienced. From the life of his servant to the madness of Khumb Mela. From the beginning of Marxism in Calcutta (as it was then known) and the rewriting of epic Hindu poem Ramayana into a very popular TV serial of its time by Ramanand Sagar and his family. He also gives us an first hand view inside the politically charged "Operation Black Thunder" in Amritsar covering both the sides of the Army and the Police. And then unravels the Deorala Sati episode which brought a small village in Rajasthan in the eye of the storm.
Every story has been covered dispassionately by him. And it works on a few levels. You end up reading the book objectively as a bystander without getting involved with any of the characters. Not one of the best books on India but a good one to have in your kitty.
December 9, 2013
Even though, Michael Woods and Mark Tully are different in terms of their work, one being a historian and another being a journalist dealing with social and political issues, there's a striking similarity in the way they provide an account of India and having liked works by Michael Woods, it was obvious that I would have liked Mark Tully's too. I admire the way Mark Tully has described his explorations about India with utmost clarity of thoughts, keeping aside any sort of personal biases. He has woven the history of Indian society into ten remarkable essays, "The Deorala Sati" and "The Typhoon in Ahmedabad" being my favourite ones. This is a must-read for everyone who is interested in knowing about Indian civilization, different aspects of which cannot be separated by full stops but could only be conjugated with commas.
April 4, 2013
I've taken to reading books based on Indian history lately, and loved this book in that sense. Mark Tully puts some important events in post-independence Indian history in perspective with his stories around people and places involved in the events.
He has a strong pro-India, pro-Hindu perspective, so some of his ideas may not go down well with a lot of people. But read from the circumstances and a British journalist's point of view, I was quite impressed that he could relate to so many things Indian.
He has a strong pro-India, pro-Hindu perspective, so some of his ideas may not go down well with a lot of people. But read from the circumstances and a British journalist's point of view, I was quite impressed that he could relate to so many things Indian.
April 10, 2016
Sir Mark Tully's writings portray an India most of us do not know about, or worse, turn a blind side to.
It is ironical that we protest over things like culture appropriation by a music band but we do not know what really 'makes' our country.
These 10 essays are a good place where one could begin, written with clarity that comes with great journalism, and keeping intact the human face of everyday interactions with people that make India, 'India'.
This was the second book that i read by this author, and it turned out to be yet another insightful read.
It is ironical that we protest over things like culture appropriation by a music band but we do not know what really 'makes' our country.
These 10 essays are a good place where one could begin, written with clarity that comes with great journalism, and keeping intact the human face of everyday interactions with people that make India, 'India'.
This was the second book that i read by this author, and it turned out to be yet another insightful read.
January 20, 2022
It is interesting to see what people thought back before '91 . In a way everything has changed and nothing has changed at all and who better than good old Mr.Tully to tell us that. I only wish there was an audio version of this in Tully's voice.
February 24, 2021
A sneak peek into India before the economic liberalisation. Makes one thankful to be born on the right side of the event.
September 12, 2021
His narration is great. Stories he tells are riveting and give you a glimpse of life of Indians from various walks. Great book
June 13, 2020
This book, by a former BBC journalist who loves India from the deepest cores of his heart, shares the essence of real India of 1980s through 10 essays from entirely different fields of the country.
The first essay- Ram Chander's Story- highlights the caste system of north India. It is the story of a sweeper-turned-cook; his journey from coming to the capital city Delhi as a young and unmarried boy to his daughter's wedding in his native village in Uttar Pradesh. Mark Tully attended his daughter's wedding and captured the true essence of village life. Through his story, Mark has pointed out some positive as well as negative aspects of caste system. This essay moves on a lighter note, and written with a seriousness with a touch of humour. The perfect essay to start the book.
Sculptures at Mahabalipuram bring forth the theme of the second essay featured in this book- The New Colonialism. This essay deals with the conflict between British and Indian sculptors, the latter being treated as inferior and are the victims of colonial imperialism and the lasting impact of the British raj. This essay also brings to the scene the discrimination against Harijan Christians, even in the church.
The third essay in this anthology- 'The Kumbh Mela' was the one I was most interested in. I always love reading about Kumbh Mela. Here, Mark has presented us with different kinds of people and their different motives behind coming to the mela. It also deals with the power of politics in handeling religious matters. There's also a touch of Hindu-Muslim conflict when it comes to the name of the city- Allahabad or Prayag.
The fourth essay was 'The Rewriting of Ramayana'. Here Mark tells about the impact of Ramanand sagar's Ramayana on people. It was all before the times of TRP, and the times when television was not a necessity, and was considered a sign of prosperity. At that time, the madness about this serial, and the respect for characters who played lead roles was beyond words. They were considered the real gods.
It was for the first time that I read in detail about the operation Black Thunder, that followed the most tragic event in the history of Sikhs in modern times- the operation Blue Star and the tragedies that followed it still haunt the Sikh community. It brings forth the actions of Sikh separatists and the reaction of government to their actions. Being a Punjabi, and in spite of in my early childhood at that time, I can recall the tough times the Punjabis faced during 1980s.
The sixth essay 'Communism in Calcutta' presents the picture of a changing, but still reluctant to change Calcutta. The city is now a mix of industrial revolution, Marxism, religious abundance and the remnants of the earlier times. As it was Mark Tully's birth city, the fragments of nostalgia are sure to be felt in his words.
'The Deolara Sati' deals with a modern day sati case, that was never proved whether it was murder or a suicide. It is the predicament of superstitious aspect of religion.
'Typhoon in Ahmedabad' deals with riots and the hands of politics in this. It were only the poor, whether Hindu or Muslim, who were most affected by the consequences of connections between underworld and the politics.
'The Return of the Artist' is about an artist from Madhya Pradesh who has made big with the help of government. Tribal picture of the area is presented wonderfully by Mark.
'The Defeat of a Congressman' is about Digvijay singh's political background, his ideologies, and his failed career. He was the man from the times when politicians had some conscience, and their actions were based on ideologies they followed.
The book leads you to an emotionless objective read. It is like seeing something serious happening only as a spectator and you don't involve yourself in the event in any way. It was not written interestingly, and I rarely enjoyed what he wrote. The words were not grasping. It was like reading an editorial page of a newspaper meant only for masses. It was an average read.
The first essay- Ram Chander's Story- highlights the caste system of north India. It is the story of a sweeper-turned-cook; his journey from coming to the capital city Delhi as a young and unmarried boy to his daughter's wedding in his native village in Uttar Pradesh. Mark Tully attended his daughter's wedding and captured the true essence of village life. Through his story, Mark has pointed out some positive as well as negative aspects of caste system. This essay moves on a lighter note, and written with a seriousness with a touch of humour. The perfect essay to start the book.
Sculptures at Mahabalipuram bring forth the theme of the second essay featured in this book- The New Colonialism. This essay deals with the conflict between British and Indian sculptors, the latter being treated as inferior and are the victims of colonial imperialism and the lasting impact of the British raj. This essay also brings to the scene the discrimination against Harijan Christians, even in the church.
The third essay in this anthology- 'The Kumbh Mela' was the one I was most interested in. I always love reading about Kumbh Mela. Here, Mark has presented us with different kinds of people and their different motives behind coming to the mela. It also deals with the power of politics in handeling religious matters. There's also a touch of Hindu-Muslim conflict when it comes to the name of the city- Allahabad or Prayag.
The fourth essay was 'The Rewriting of Ramayana'. Here Mark tells about the impact of Ramanand sagar's Ramayana on people. It was all before the times of TRP, and the times when television was not a necessity, and was considered a sign of prosperity. At that time, the madness about this serial, and the respect for characters who played lead roles was beyond words. They were considered the real gods.
It was for the first time that I read in detail about the operation Black Thunder, that followed the most tragic event in the history of Sikhs in modern times- the operation Blue Star and the tragedies that followed it still haunt the Sikh community. It brings forth the actions of Sikh separatists and the reaction of government to their actions. Being a Punjabi, and in spite of in my early childhood at that time, I can recall the tough times the Punjabis faced during 1980s.
The sixth essay 'Communism in Calcutta' presents the picture of a changing, but still reluctant to change Calcutta. The city is now a mix of industrial revolution, Marxism, religious abundance and the remnants of the earlier times. As it was Mark Tully's birth city, the fragments of nostalgia are sure to be felt in his words.
'The Deolara Sati' deals with a modern day sati case, that was never proved whether it was murder or a suicide. It is the predicament of superstitious aspect of religion.
'Typhoon in Ahmedabad' deals with riots and the hands of politics in this. It were only the poor, whether Hindu or Muslim, who were most affected by the consequences of connections between underworld and the politics.
'The Return of the Artist' is about an artist from Madhya Pradesh who has made big with the help of government. Tribal picture of the area is presented wonderfully by Mark.
'The Defeat of a Congressman' is about Digvijay singh's political background, his ideologies, and his failed career. He was the man from the times when politicians had some conscience, and their actions were based on ideologies they followed.
The book leads you to an emotionless objective read. It is like seeing something serious happening only as a spectator and you don't involve yourself in the event in any way. It was not written interestingly, and I rarely enjoyed what he wrote. The words were not grasping. It was like reading an editorial page of a newspaper meant only for masses. It was an average read.
December 13, 2019
*Day 4*
The Curious Mind
Book Review - No Full Stops In India
About the Author
Sir Willam Mark Tully, former bureau chief of BBC, New Delhi. Born in the Tollygunge, British India(Kolkata), spent the first decade of his life in India, without interacting with any Indian. At the age of 4, headed to a British boarding school in Darjeeling. Post which, he got his graduation certification from collages for excelling with knowledge related to theology. In the year 1964, he takes his first step into the BBC office, London and in the next year (1965), moves back to India as the Indian Correspondent to the BBC. As a journalist, he has ventured to cover stories about the Indo-Pakistan conflicts, Bhopal gas tragedy, Operation Blue Star (and the subsequent assassination of Indira Gandhi, anti-Sikh riots), Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi to the Demolition of Babri Masjid. Having had a good run at the BBC, Mark Tully put his papers in July, 1994. Due to the heated arguments, he had with John Brit, Director General. He(Mark) had accused him(Jhon) of "running the corporation by fear" and "turning the BBC into a secretive monolith with poor ratings and a demoralized staff". He is also known for the books he had written in detail on stories he had covered during his lifetime.
About the Book
In a country where there seems to be no end to anything, what words would you use to define, what our country is all about?. I have never experienced statewide curfew or nationwide mourning during the death of a famous personality or even been in a hostile situation or been at a marriage of a 13yrs old or experienced sati. But all I have done until now is hear about it and set it aside as folklore.
This book holds 10 essays on various incidents. Apart from it being well written, the detailing of each incident and the emotions within each of these essays have to be appreciated. While we move towards making India a Modern Nation, we do have to spend some time living and knowing our past. What was “India” after the era of Raj and during the time of the British. How did British have enough power to rule India for 700 years with just a term called “Indian Elites”, who happen to form the upper class in India, today? Apart from this history, how did the Nehru’s family play the biggest political game in Punjab, while creating an unstable political empire, which eventually leads to the death of Indra Gandhi? Apart from this, how did Rajiv Gandhi an alumnus of Cambridge and Imperial College, get blown into thousand pieces? While all this was changing India on a large scale, how did the poor really cope with this change and even battle their odds is a story for the reader to find within the pages of this book.
My View on Book
This book in a word for me would mean, “Eye Opener”. Why because, I wasn’t aware of most of the events that I read about. Who now knows, what a strategical political fight means or why the police are called the first line of strategical defense or even who is a kingmaker in politics? I was at one point time feel ashamed of how, as Indian we let a 16yrs old girls get burnt alive in the name of “Sati”, just because her husband had died. I personally feel responsible for each and every wrong thing that happens in our country. We might not be aware, I agree, but it is time for us to buckle up and be aware of a better India and not crib about where we live. Let us not wait for books tell us, there were these events that took place, once upon a time.
The Curious Mind
Book Review - No Full Stops In India
About the Author
Sir Willam Mark Tully, former bureau chief of BBC, New Delhi. Born in the Tollygunge, British India(Kolkata), spent the first decade of his life in India, without interacting with any Indian. At the age of 4, headed to a British boarding school in Darjeeling. Post which, he got his graduation certification from collages for excelling with knowledge related to theology. In the year 1964, he takes his first step into the BBC office, London and in the next year (1965), moves back to India as the Indian Correspondent to the BBC. As a journalist, he has ventured to cover stories about the Indo-Pakistan conflicts, Bhopal gas tragedy, Operation Blue Star (and the subsequent assassination of Indira Gandhi, anti-Sikh riots), Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi to the Demolition of Babri Masjid. Having had a good run at the BBC, Mark Tully put his papers in July, 1994. Due to the heated arguments, he had with John Brit, Director General. He(Mark) had accused him(Jhon) of "running the corporation by fear" and "turning the BBC into a secretive monolith with poor ratings and a demoralized staff". He is also known for the books he had written in detail on stories he had covered during his lifetime.
About the Book
In a country where there seems to be no end to anything, what words would you use to define, what our country is all about?. I have never experienced statewide curfew or nationwide mourning during the death of a famous personality or even been in a hostile situation or been at a marriage of a 13yrs old or experienced sati. But all I have done until now is hear about it and set it aside as folklore.
This book holds 10 essays on various incidents. Apart from it being well written, the detailing of each incident and the emotions within each of these essays have to be appreciated. While we move towards making India a Modern Nation, we do have to spend some time living and knowing our past. What was “India” after the era of Raj and during the time of the British. How did British have enough power to rule India for 700 years with just a term called “Indian Elites”, who happen to form the upper class in India, today? Apart from this history, how did the Nehru’s family play the biggest political game in Punjab, while creating an unstable political empire, which eventually leads to the death of Indra Gandhi? Apart from this, how did Rajiv Gandhi an alumnus of Cambridge and Imperial College, get blown into thousand pieces? While all this was changing India on a large scale, how did the poor really cope with this change and even battle their odds is a story for the reader to find within the pages of this book.
My View on Book
This book in a word for me would mean, “Eye Opener”. Why because, I wasn’t aware of most of the events that I read about. Who now knows, what a strategical political fight means or why the police are called the first line of strategical defense or even who is a kingmaker in politics? I was at one point time feel ashamed of how, as Indian we let a 16yrs old girls get burnt alive in the name of “Sati”, just because her husband had died. I personally feel responsible for each and every wrong thing that happens in our country. We might not be aware, I agree, but it is time for us to buckle up and be aware of a better India and not crib about where we live. Let us not wait for books tell us, there were these events that took place, once upon a time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2017
The author concludes his introduction with this, " But the western world and the Indian elite who emulate it ignore the characteristic genius of the Indian mind. They want to write a full stop in the land where there are no full stops." Thus, the author hints you that unlike many of his peers , he is not a blind anglophile advocating cultural imperialism. This piece of work is melange of travelogue, social commentary, historical account, and investigative reportage amongst other. The author narrates ten different anecdotes from the length and breath of India. However, the objective is to convey the readers a broader commentary on the complex maze of India's socio-economic landscape. And he does so by extrapolating these anecdotes, which are multifaceted. It takes one through the largest show of assembly Kumbh Mela, narrates how B.R. Chopra's "Mahabharat" became an apparatus of social cohesion, comments on India's long standing relation with superstition through 1989 infamous Deorala Sati case, and expounds the emergence of communism in India inter-alia. The narration is as colourful as the cultural fabric of India. In short, the book is a tribute to the soul of India's "Unity in Diversity".
November 1, 2020
Well written book about India in the 1990's. It's a pity I'm reading it 30 years too late. I know very little about Indian history and nothing about its current political or social situation.
Tully's book is basically a series of essays that can be read in any particular order covering a wide range of subjects from the largest religious festival, the Kumbh Mela, political intrigues, terrorism, populist TV programming and suicidal brides.
Unfortunately there isn't a good primer on the caste system and why it still prevails or more broadly on Hindu/Muslim tension internally and its relationship with Pakistan.
I suppose you can't have everything in one book.
One small gripe,the author takes a very detached view of Indian customs and practises, even things Westerners would find disturbing, except for family planning where he seems to adopt the Western Sahib view.
I'm encouraged to discover what India is like today.
Tully's book is basically a series of essays that can be read in any particular order covering a wide range of subjects from the largest religious festival, the Kumbh Mela, political intrigues, terrorism, populist TV programming and suicidal brides.
Unfortunately there isn't a good primer on the caste system and why it still prevails or more broadly on Hindu/Muslim tension internally and its relationship with Pakistan.
I suppose you can't have everything in one book.
One small gripe,the author takes a very detached view of Indian customs and practises, even things Westerners would find disturbing, except for family planning where he seems to adopt the Western Sahib view.
I'm encouraged to discover what India is like today.
October 10, 2020
Ten essays on of India of 1980's ..Some of the articles were great The Kumbh Mela,,The Deorala Sati and about Ramayana a very popular TV serial which impacted the political and social structure of the country .... Mark tells about the impact of Ramanand sagar's Ramayana. It was all before the times of TRP, and the times when television was not a necessity, and was considered a sign of prosperity. At that time, the madness about this serial, and the respect for characters who played lead roles was beyond words. They were considered the real gods.All essays are intresting ...
He has a strong pro-India perspective, so some of his ideas may not go down well with a lot of people. Although written in 1991 this book is still quite relevant today. must-read for everyone who is interested in knowing about Indian civilization
He has a strong pro-India perspective, so some of his ideas may not go down well with a lot of people. Although written in 1991 this book is still quite relevant today. must-read for everyone who is interested in knowing about Indian civilization
September 9, 2022
With multiple books on the topic of India and Indian culture (especially where it concerns politics, religion, identity), its surprising that a book written by a BBC correspondent has a lot more objectivity and empathy for the Indian mind than most tomes published by self purported Indian intellectuals does.
This book is a loose collection of essays about everything from Sati, to the Kumbh mela to politics, and offers a glimpse into the dusty, creaky pre-1990s India that most of us have forgotten.
This book is a loose collection of essays about everything from Sati, to the Kumbh mela to politics, and offers a glimpse into the dusty, creaky pre-1990s India that most of us have forgotten.
March 25, 2023
I've always been impressed by Mark Tully, whenever I've seen him on TV or read his work in the media, but this was the first time I had read one of his books, and I'm certainly glad I did. He is the perfect authority on his subject - knowledgeable, sensitive, and just far-removed enough to be able to cut through a lot of the petty politics others find it impossible to avoid.
In this collection of essays, Tully looks at 'modern' living in India - though this was written in the nineties, so it is a touch dated now - including rural life, art, politics and religion in India.
In this collection of essays, Tully looks at 'modern' living in India - though this was written in the nineties, so it is a touch dated now - including rural life, art, politics and religion in India.
May 5, 2020
I have read earlier that Mark Tully was one of the English writers that got influenced by Indian culture and adopted it in all its writings. I liked this book but I find it limited to the time. India has changed drastically in the last two decades and many stories would make less sense now however, they are easy to read. The stories are somehow quite strongly knitted to the soul of the writer and it made it quite an interesting read.
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