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The Good, the Bad and the Ridiculous: Profiles
From Indias grand old man of letters comes a new compilation of essays that profile some of the most iconic figures in the last century of the subcontinents history. This book will appeal not only to admirers of Khushwant Singhs writing but also to anyone Interested in the history, politics and socio economic scenario of twentieth century India.
People profiled in this book include Jawaharlal Nehru, Krishna Menon, Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, Amrita Sher Gil, Begum Para, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, M. S. Golwalkar, Mother Teresa, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Dhirendra Brahmachari, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, General Tikka Khan, Phoolan Devi, Giani Zail Singh and Bhagat Puran Singh.
About the Author
Khushwant singh is one of Indias best known and most widely read authors and columnists. He was founder-editor of Yojana and editor of the Illustrated Weekly of India, National Heraldand the Hindustan Times. His first book, The Mark of Vishnu and Other Stories, was published in 1950 and he has published several acclaimed and bestselling books of fiction and non-fiction in the six decades since. He has also translated the work of major Punjabi and Urdu poets and writers, as well as the Japji and the Rehras: The Morning and Evening Prayers of the Sikhs.
People profiled in this book include Jawaharlal Nehru, Krishna Menon, Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, Amrita Sher Gil, Begum Para, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, M. S. Golwalkar, Mother Teresa, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Dhirendra Brahmachari, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, General Tikka Khan, Phoolan Devi, Giani Zail Singh and Bhagat Puran Singh.
About the Author
Khushwant singh is one of Indias best known and most widely read authors and columnists. He was founder-editor of Yojana and editor of the Illustrated Weekly of India, National Heraldand the Hindustan Times. His first book, The Mark of Vishnu and Other Stories, was published in 1950 and he has published several acclaimed and bestselling books of fiction and non-fiction in the six decades since. He has also translated the work of major Punjabi and Urdu poets and writers, as well as the Japji and the Rehras: The Morning and Evening Prayers of the Sikhs.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2013
88 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
About the author
Khushwant Singh
298 books1,429 followersKhushwant Singh, (Punjabi: ਖ਼ੁਸ਼ਵੰਤ ਸਿੰਘ, Hindi: खुशवंत सिंह) born on 2 February 1915 in Hadali, Undivided India, (now a part of Pakistan), was a prominent Indian novelist and journalist. Singh's weekly column, "With Malice towards One and All", carried by several Indian newspapers, was among the most widely-read columns in the country.
An important post-colonial novelist writing in English, Singh is best known for his trenchant secularism, his humor, and an abiding love of poetry. His comparisons of social and behavioral characteristics of Westerners and Indians are laced with acid wit.
An important post-colonial novelist writing in English, Singh is best known for his trenchant secularism, his humor, and an abiding love of poetry. His comparisons of social and behavioral characteristics of Westerners and Indians are laced with acid wit.
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December 23, 2018
ভূয়োদর্শী সাংবাদিক ও লেখক খুশবন্ত সিং তাঁর কর্মজীবন ও ব্যক্তিজীবনে অনেকের সংস্পর্শে এসেছেন৷ তাঁরা কখনো বন্ধুবেশে, কখনো নিছক পরিচিত হিসেবে কিংবা সাংবাদিকতার খাতিরে খুশবন্ত সিংয়ের সাথে কথা বলেছেন। এমনই কিছু 'ভালো, মন্দ এবং অদ্ভুত' মানুষের কথাই লিখেছেন খুশবন্ত সিং।
এই বইতে আছেন মোটামুটি চার ঘরানার মানুষ-
১. খুবই পরিচিত মুখ। যেমনঃ মাদার তেরেসা, মোহনদাস করমচাঁদ গান্ধি, জিন্নাহ, নেহেরু, ইন্দিরা, ফয়েজ আহমেদ ফয়েজ, মাদার তেরেসা, মাউন্টব্যাটেন
২. তুলনামূলক কম পরিচিতঃ সঞ্জয় গান্ধি, জৈল সিং, বলবন্ত গার্গি, জর্জ ফার্নান্দেজ, এল কে আদভানি, কৃষ্ণ মেনন এবং মনজুর কাদের।
৩. একেবারেই অপরিচিত - সরদার আলি জাফরি, ভগৎ পুরান সিং, বেগম পেরা ইত্যাদি।
৪. কুখ্যাতজন - টিক্কা খান, ভিন্দ্রেনওয়ালা প্রমুখ।
বাংলাদেশের জিয়াউর রহমানকে কোন ক্যাটাগরিতে ফেলব তা বুঝিনি।
খুশবন্ত সিং প্রত্যেককে নিয়েই সংক্ষেপে লিখেছেন। একেকজনের চরিত্র, স্বভাবকে আলাদাভাবে বিশ্লেষণের সুযোগ দিয়েছেন পাঠককে। নিজের পক্ষপাতিত্ব অবশ্যই ছিল। ছিল জিন্না, গান্ধি, নেহেরু ইন্দিরা এবং কৃষ্ণমেননের যৌনজীবন কিছু কথা।
জিয়াউর রহমানের শাসনকালে বাংলাদেশে এসেছিলেন। সাক্ষাৎকার নিয়েছিলেন তার। শেখ মুজিব বনাম জিয়ার ব্যক্তিত্বের তুলনামূলক আলোচনা করেছেন। মাপতে চেয়েছেন দু'জনকে। খুশবন্ত সিংয়ের পর্যবেক্ষণ -
' Zia was distant, reserved and a man of few words. Mujib’s office was like an oriental durbar of the Mughal times: dozens of people squatting on the carpets, sprawling on the sofa and chairs, standing along the walls. Telephones rang continuously; he answered them while carrying on conversation with whoever happened to get his attention and signed papers placed on the table. It was chaotic. Zia’s office was as cold as he. In the waiting room, his secretaries and security staff discreetly engaged you in polite conversation while their eyes searched your person for concealed weapons.'
বিখ্যাত ব্যক্তিদের নিয়ে অনেক মজার ঘটনা আছে। অজানা কথাও লিখেছেন। পড়তে গিয়ে অস্বস্তি লেগেছে এমন ঘটনা তো হরহামেশাই থাকে খুশবন্ত সিংয়ের কলমে। এ আর নতুন কি!
এই বইতে আছেন মোটামুটি চার ঘরানার মানুষ-
১. খুবই পরিচিত মুখ। যেমনঃ মাদার তেরেসা, মোহনদাস করমচাঁদ গান্ধি, জিন্নাহ, নেহেরু, ইন্দিরা, ফয়েজ আহমেদ ফয়েজ, মাদার তেরেসা, মাউন্টব্যাটেন
২. তুলনামূলক কম পরিচিতঃ সঞ্জয় গান্ধি, জৈল সিং, বলবন্ত গার্গি, জর্জ ফার্নান্দেজ, এল কে আদভানি, কৃষ্ণ মেনন এবং মনজুর কাদের।
৩. একেবারেই অপরিচিত - সরদার আলি জাফরি, ভগৎ পুরান সিং, বেগম পেরা ইত্যাদি।
৪. কুখ্যাতজন - টিক্কা খান, ভিন্দ্রেনওয়ালা প্রমুখ।
বাংলাদেশের জিয়াউর রহমানকে কোন ক্যাটাগরিতে ফেলব তা বুঝিনি।
খুশবন্ত সিং প্রত্যেককে নিয়েই সংক্ষেপে লিখেছেন। একেকজনের চরিত্র, স্বভাবকে আলাদাভাবে বিশ্লেষণের সুযোগ দিয়েছেন পাঠককে। নিজের পক্ষপাতিত্ব অবশ্যই ছিল। ছিল জিন্না, গান্ধি, নেহেরু ইন্দিরা এবং কৃষ্ণমেননের যৌনজীবন কিছু কথা।
জিয়াউর রহমানের শাসনকালে বাংলাদেশে এসেছিলেন। সাক্ষাৎকার নিয়েছিলেন তার। শেখ মুজিব বনাম জিয়ার ব্যক্তিত্বের তুলনামূলক আলোচনা করেছেন। মাপতে চেয়েছেন দু'জনকে। খুশবন্ত সিংয়ের পর্যবেক্ষণ -
' Zia was distant, reserved and a man of few words. Mujib’s office was like an oriental durbar of the Mughal times: dozens of people squatting on the carpets, sprawling on the sofa and chairs, standing along the walls. Telephones rang continuously; he answered them while carrying on conversation with whoever happened to get his attention and signed papers placed on the table. It was chaotic. Zia’s office was as cold as he. In the waiting room, his secretaries and security staff discreetly engaged you in polite conversation while their eyes searched your person for concealed weapons.'
বিখ্যাত ব্যক্তিদের নিয়ে অনেক মজার ঘটনা আছে। অজানা কথাও লিখেছেন। পড়তে গিয়ে অস্বস্তি লেগেছে এমন ঘটনা তো হরহামেশাই থাকে খুশবন্ত সিংয়ের কলমে। এ আর নতুন কি!
December 26, 2018
সাংবাদিক, সম্পাদক, লেখক, গবেষক খুশবন্ত সিং তাঁর দীর্ঘ জীবনে যেসব বিখ্যাত, কুখ্যাত, অখ্যাত মানুষের সাথে চলেছেন, তাদের সামান্য কয়েকজনের সাথে সিংজীর ব্যক্তিগত স্মৃতিচারণ নিয়ে বই। এদের মধ্যে আছেন আলী সর্দার জাফরি, বেগম পারার মতো বিস্মৃত বিখ্যাত মানুষ, তেমন আছেন অমৃতা শেরগিল (এই অধ্যায়টা চমকপ্রদ, অমৃতার আগুনের আঁচ সর্দারজীও পেয়েছিলেন), ইন্দিরা গান্ধী, লর্ড মাউন্টব্যাটেন, মাদার তেরেসার মতো এক নামে চিনে এমন মানুষ।
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খুশবন্ত সিং এখানে তাঁর স্বভাব সুলভ চটুল ভাষায় এসব খ্যাতনামাদের সাথে তাঁর ব্যক্তিগত সম্পর্ক কেমন ছিল তা তুলে ধরেছেন। মজা লেগেছে তাঁর বস ইংল্যান্ডে ভারতের হাই কমিশনার কৃষ্ণ মেননকে নিয়ে লেখা রচনাটা, সেখানে সিং সোজা ভাষায় - মেননকে "ধুইয়ে" দিয়েছেন। স্বজনপ্ররীতির মাধ্যমে উচ্চ পদ বাগানো কৃষ্ণ মেননের খিটখিটে মেজাজ, উল্টা পাল্টা আচরণ, দূতাবাস কর্মী কমলা যশপালের সাথে অনৈতিক সম্পর্ক (বড়ই সরস), সুন্দরী নারীদের প্রতি অনুরাগ, দূতাবাসে মোসাহেবদের পৃষ্ঠপোষকতা, দূতাবাসের টাকায় রোলস রয়েস কেনা, নেহরুপন্থী বনাম প্যাটেলপন্থীদের গ্রুপিং উস্কানো - সব মিলে মনে হয়েছে - কৃষ্ণ মেনন আমাদের এক সাবেক জেনারেলের কার্বনকপি ছিলেন।
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বইয়ের গুরুত্বপূর্ণ অধ্যায় - সাবেক রাষ্ট্রপতি জ্ঞানী জৈল সিংকে নিয়ে লেখা অধ্যায়। শিখ রাষ্ট্রপতি জ্ঞানী জৈল সিং ভারতের রাষ্ট্রপতির দায়িত্বপালনকালেই ইন্দিরা শিখদের পবিত্রভূমি অমৃতসরে তাঁর কুখ্যাত অপারেশন ব্লু স্টার পরিচালনা করেন, যাতে অসংখ্য বেসামরিক তীর্থযাত্রী মারা যান। জ্ঞানী জৈলকে সম্পুর্ন অন্ধকারে রেখে এই পদক্ষেপ নিলেও শিখরা কখনো জ্ঞানী জৈল সিংকে সে অপরাধের জন্য ক্ষমা করতে পারে নাই। জ্ঞানীর একজন ঘনিষ্ঠ মানুষ হিসাবে খুশবন্ত সিং এই সময়ের জ্ঞানীর টানপোড়েন, অসহায়ত্ব খুব কাছ থেকে দেখেছিলেন, সেটা স্পষ্ট করে লিখে প্রকাশ করেছেন। একই সাথে শিখ নেতা জর্নাল সিং ভিন্দ্রালওয়ালে (যার বিদ্রোহ দমন করতে ইন্দিরা অপারেশন ব্লু স্টারের নির্দেশ দিয়েছিলেন), ইন্দিরা গান্ধী, সঞ্জয় গান্ধীকে নিয়ে অকপট অধ্যায়গুলো পড়লে ব্লু লোটাসের প্রেক্ষাপট, ভারতের জরুরী অবস্থা জারির সময়কাল আর সে সময়ের নেপথ্যের মানুষদের সম্পর্কে অল্প কিছু ধারণা পাওয়া যায়।
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বাংলাদেশের সাবেক রাষ্ট্রপতি জেনারেল জিয়াকে নিয়ে লেখাটা অতি সংক্ষিপ্ত, যেমন সংক্ষিপ্ত পাকিস্তান সেনাবাহিনীর জেনারেল টিক্কা খানকে নিয়ে লেখা অধ্যায়। এগুলোতে মন ভরে নাই।
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খুশবন্ত সিংয়ের সাম্প্রতিককালে বের হওয়া বইগুলো নিয়ে সমস্যা হচ্ছে, এক বইয়ের কিছু অংশ আরেক বইয়ে তুলে নতুন বই বের করা। আমার দূর্বল স্মৃতিতে যতদূর মনে পড়ে - কৃষ্ণ মেনন, অমৃতা, ইন্দিরা, সঞ্জয়, জর্নাল সিং ভিন্দ্রাওয়ালেকে নিয়ে লেখাগুলো সিংজীর আত্মজীবনী ট্রুথ লাভ এন্ড এ লিটল ম্যালিসেই পড়া হয়েছিল। এ বইয়ের আশি ভাগই আমার সিংজীর অন্যান্য বইয়ে পড়া, খুশবন্ত সিংয়ের দুর্দান্ত গদ্য, সরস চটুল ভাষা, আকর্ষণীয় বর্ননার কারণে আগে পড়া বিষয় নতুন করে পড়তে তেমন খারাপ লাগে নাই।
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খুশবন্ত সিং এখানে তাঁর স্বভাব সুলভ চটুল ভাষায় এসব খ্যাতনামাদের সাথে তাঁর ব্যক্তিগত সম্পর্ক কেমন ছিল তা তুলে ধরেছেন। মজা লেগেছে তাঁর বস ইংল্যান্ডে ভারতের হাই কমিশনার কৃষ্ণ মেননকে নিয়ে লেখা রচনাটা, সেখানে সিং সোজা ভাষায় - মেননকে "ধুইয়ে" দিয়েছেন। স্বজনপ্ররীতির মাধ্যমে উচ্চ পদ বাগানো কৃষ্ণ মেননের খিটখিটে মেজাজ, উল্টা পাল্টা আচরণ, দূতাবাস কর্মী কমলা যশপালের সাথে অনৈতিক সম্পর্ক (বড়ই সরস), সুন্দরী নারীদের প্রতি অনুরাগ, দূতাবাসে মোসাহেবদের পৃষ্ঠপোষকতা, দূতাবাসের টাকায় রোলস রয়েস কেনা, নেহরুপন্থী বনাম প্যাটেলপন্থীদের গ্রুপিং উস্কানো - সব মিলে মনে হয়েছে - কৃষ্ণ মেনন আমাদের এক সাবেক জেনারেলের কার্বনকপি ছিলেন।
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বইয়ের গুরুত্বপূর্ণ অধ্যায় - সাবেক রাষ্ট্রপতি জ্ঞানী জৈল সিংকে নিয়ে লেখা অধ্যায়। শিখ রাষ্ট্রপতি জ্ঞানী জৈল সিং ভারতের রাষ্ট্রপতির দায়িত্বপালনকালেই ইন্দিরা শিখদের পবিত্রভূমি অমৃতসরে তাঁর কুখ্যাত অপারেশন ব্লু স্টার পরিচালনা করেন, যাতে অসংখ্য বেসামরিক তীর্থযাত্রী মারা যান। জ্ঞানী জৈলকে সম্পুর্ন অন্ধকারে রেখে এই পদক্ষেপ নিলেও শিখরা কখনো জ্ঞানী জৈল সিংকে সে অপরাধের জন্য ক্ষমা করতে পারে নাই। জ্ঞানীর একজন ঘনিষ্ঠ মানুষ হিসাবে খুশবন্ত সিং এই সময়ের জ্ঞানীর টানপোড়েন, অসহায়ত্ব খুব কাছ থেকে দেখেছিলেন, সেটা স্পষ্ট করে লিখে প্রকাশ করেছেন। একই সাথে শিখ নেতা জর্নাল সিং ভিন্দ্রালওয়ালে (যার বিদ্রোহ দমন করতে ইন্দিরা অপারেশন ব্লু স্টারের নির্দেশ দিয়েছিলেন), ইন্দিরা গান্ধী, সঞ্জয় গান্ধীকে নিয়ে অকপট অধ্যায়গুলো পড়লে ব্লু লোটাসের প্রেক্ষাপট, ভারতের জরুরী অবস্থা জারির সময়কাল আর সে সময়ের নেপথ্যের মানুষদের সম্পর্কে অল্প কিছু ধারণা পাওয়া যায়।
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বাংলাদেশের সাবেক রাষ্ট্রপতি জেনারেল জিয়াকে নিয়ে লেখাটা অতি সংক্ষিপ্ত, যেমন সংক্ষিপ্ত পাকিস্তান সেনাবাহিনীর জেনারেল টিক্কা খানকে নিয়ে লেখা অধ্যায়। এগুলোতে মন ভরে নাই।
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খুশবন্ত সিংয়ের সাম্প্রতিককালে বের হওয়া বইগুলো নিয়ে সমস্যা হচ্ছে, এক বইয়ের কিছু অংশ আরেক বইয়ে তুলে নতুন বই বের করা। আমার দূর্বল স্মৃতিতে যতদূর মনে পড়ে - কৃষ্ণ মেনন, অমৃতা, ইন্দিরা, সঞ্জয়, জর্নাল সিং ভিন্দ্রাওয়ালেকে নিয়ে লেখাগুলো সিংজীর আত্মজীবনী ট্রুথ লাভ এন্ড এ লিটল ম্যালিসেই পড়া হয়েছিল। এ বইয়ের আশি ভাগই আমার সিংজীর অন্যান্য বইয়ে পড়া, খুশবন্ত সিংয়ের দুর্দান্ত গদ্য, সরস চটুল ভাষা, আকর্ষণীয় বর্ননার কারণে আগে পড়া বিষয় নতুন করে পড়তে তেমন খারাপ লাগে নাই।
October 20, 2020
I read it while stuck in a relative's engagement. I was surrounded by my father's companions, few middle aged, some of them, elderly people who were so strangely amused by their own quirky remarks about others in the herd and specially regarding look and physique of the groom and bride. I just found safe corner, and settled there. I still had hours when finally the engagement ceremony would take place. In those endless hours I read this book on my smartphone.
Talking about the book, I think I would be lying if I said it bore me. Far from it. I was pretty much hooked, reading about many famous personalities, mostly politicians, which I really wanted to know about. I loved the book when I read it. But in retrospect I find myself thinking and refraining from making any serious assumptions about the people concerning. Afterall these are just the opinions, although from supposedly decent writer, but also quite controversial figure in indian politics.
Besides, most of Singh's judgements, are based on only handful of interactions with those people, and sometimes maybe only for a single instance. So after reading this book and making resolute beliefs about the figures mentioned..... Not a great idea.
The author is quite bold and totally unapologetic in his beliefs. He reminded us many time that he is pervert and crook. And he seems pretty sure of that.
It makes the reader uncomfortable but not him. The book offers more insight about his life than the people he talks about. How he react and respond being interacted with those people. And to be honest, there were few interactions he wrote about, I find them really interesting, to say the least.
In a nutshell a fun book, refreshed many the political conflicts of the country which took place in his time, 1984, emergency, ram madir conflict, operation Bluestar and the case of Khalistan. It presented many sides and perspectives of these events.
Talking about the book, I think I would be lying if I said it bore me. Far from it. I was pretty much hooked, reading about many famous personalities, mostly politicians, which I really wanted to know about. I loved the book when I read it. But in retrospect I find myself thinking and refraining from making any serious assumptions about the people concerning. Afterall these are just the opinions, although from supposedly decent writer, but also quite controversial figure in indian politics.
Besides, most of Singh's judgements, are based on only handful of interactions with those people, and sometimes maybe only for a single instance. So after reading this book and making resolute beliefs about the figures mentioned..... Not a great idea.
The author is quite bold and totally unapologetic in his beliefs. He reminded us many time that he is pervert and crook. And he seems pretty sure of that.
It makes the reader uncomfortable but not him. The book offers more insight about his life than the people he talks about. How he react and respond being interacted with those people. And to be honest, there were few interactions he wrote about, I find them really interesting, to say the least.
In a nutshell a fun book, refreshed many the political conflicts of the country which took place in his time, 1984, emergency, ram madir conflict, operation Bluestar and the case of Khalistan. It presented many sides and perspectives of these events.
April 23, 2020
This book is insane. And it fulfills its insanity very well except some instances of sanity whike talking about some more political figures.
And this book needs a review. I hope the weekend and my will power, that I am trying so hard to build, allows me to do that. 😐
Till then, happy reading! 👻
And this book needs a review. I hope the weekend and my will power, that I am trying so hard to build, allows me to do that. 😐
Till then, happy reading! 👻
January 16, 2018
Khushwant Singh does not spare any one. It is true of this book as well. He is candid, appreciative and acerbic, depending upon his understanding of the individual. Hence, he terms Krishna Menon as a person who "had a strong streak of sadism". He lays the ground rules in the introduction to the book : "The truly good and great are not diminished when their faults are exposed; on the contrary, they earn greater respect for rising to admirable heights despite their human flaws"
September 8, 2016
Rating : 3.5 stars
August 4, 2020
I have been a fan of Khushwant Singh since I was a curious student of literature. In my teenage, two authors - I loved most. The first was Khushwant Singh and the second, Taslima Nasrin.
Khushwant writes honest, spares no one, including himself also. He likes to laugh on himself and on others also. He must be a notorious man in his friends' circle.
The book is set of biographical sketches of his friends, acquaintances and some historically important people whom he met once or twice.
Khushwant writes honest, spares no one, including himself also. He likes to laugh on himself and on others also. He must be a notorious man in his friends' circle.
The book is set of biographical sketches of his friends, acquaintances and some historically important people whom he met once or twice.
November 21, 2025
(Khushwant Singh has the uncanny ability to paint an exact physical picture of a person with as few descriptive words as possible).
Everyone else is right- this serves more as a semi-autobiography than profiles of different people. But either way, it introduced and reintroduced me to many prominent figures, about whom I now know enough to impress others.
Overall proved to be a light, fun, and informative read.
Everyone else is right- this serves more as a semi-autobiography than profiles of different people. But either way, it introduced and reintroduced me to many prominent figures, about whom I now know enough to impress others.
Overall proved to be a light, fun, and informative read.
February 23, 2018
Ordinary. Falling short on expectations.
Ordinary. Falling short on expectations. Very short topics with not much details or insights. Not interesting considering other good books written by Khuswant Singh.
Ordinary. Falling short on expectations. Very short topics with not much details or insights. Not interesting considering other good books written by Khuswant Singh.
April 11, 2020
An interesting read, though I would say Mr. Singh's take on a lot of people is quite biased!He has very conveniently not publically-shamed few people with whom he had shared good relations.
June 29, 2020
Khushwant Singh is famous for speaking without fear, he's notorious and straightforward. You'll find many big names in the book on which Khushwant has given his views in 2-4 pages. With some of the famous personalities he shared a lot of time but with some he spent negligible amount of time, I personally will not make my opinion public on the latter personalities without spending considerable amount of time in their company. Well, Khushwant Singh can :)
December 27, 2022
I could finish only two books this year, and the difference between them could not have been any more significant.
While the first was 'The Brothers Karamazov' — a fat-ass book with equally heavy topics of discussion — which I started last winter and took me the entire months of Jan and Feb to finish; the second one is this gossipy piece which didn't take me even a full day to go from one cover to the other. The best book I could have asked to break my reader's block!
It is a compilation of frank opinions that Khushwant Singh had of the various popular (and semi-popular) figures of the Indian subcontinent whom he had seen from close vicinity. As these are merely opinions, they are heavily biased and sometimes too politically incorrect. And that's what adds value to this book. It's almost like a close friend gossiping about people he has met, even if only just once or twice, which you listen intently to primarily for entertainment and not to form any firm opinion of them, except that the people he has met are the bigshots of the subcontinent.
KS shares information collected from close quarters about 'the good' people in his life, which further establishes their goodness, even if the figure might be someone as controversial as Sanjay Gandhi. He aims at 'the bad' with wise verdicts, crafty insults, and witticisms. And then there are semi-popular figures whose names I read for the first time who constituted most of 'the ridiculous': stories of horny men and seductive women.
Keeping 'the ridiculous' aside (which was in no way bland but maybe cringe-inducing at times), the book offers a valuable perspective and a window into the lives of the larger-than-life figures of the 20th-century Indian subcontinent.
While the first was 'The Brothers Karamazov' — a fat-ass book with equally heavy topics of discussion — which I started last winter and took me the entire months of Jan and Feb to finish; the second one is this gossipy piece which didn't take me even a full day to go from one cover to the other. The best book I could have asked to break my reader's block!
It is a compilation of frank opinions that Khushwant Singh had of the various popular (and semi-popular) figures of the Indian subcontinent whom he had seen from close vicinity. As these are merely opinions, they are heavily biased and sometimes too politically incorrect. And that's what adds value to this book. It's almost like a close friend gossiping about people he has met, even if only just once or twice, which you listen intently to primarily for entertainment and not to form any firm opinion of them, except that the people he has met are the bigshots of the subcontinent.
KS shares information collected from close quarters about 'the good' people in his life, which further establishes their goodness, even if the figure might be someone as controversial as Sanjay Gandhi. He aims at 'the bad' with wise verdicts, crafty insults, and witticisms. And then there are semi-popular figures whose names I read for the first time who constituted most of 'the ridiculous': stories of horny men and seductive women.
Keeping 'the ridiculous' aside (which was in no way bland but maybe cringe-inducing at times), the book offers a valuable perspective and a window into the lives of the larger-than-life figures of the 20th-century Indian subcontinent.
January 1, 2018
Many authors write stories about the people they have met in life, incidents they have experienced or observed from far away. But most of the time while writing these stories they never picture themselves in a negative way.
But Khushwant Singh is different from all. He loves to criticise people but then he does not shy away from criticising himself also. As he says in the beginning of book that he is a big gossiper and opinionated, that is clearly reflected in each story of his. It seems at times that he just says whatever comes to his mind without thinking anything. You might find yourself hating and loving him at the same time. His friendship with Sanjay Gandhi and his support to Emergency seems questionable.
The stories are funny, witty and humorous. I know I have kind of used synonyms right now but this is how I felt while reading these completely enjoyable stories. With this book I have one advice and request that please do read introduction and don’t directly jump to the stories. It’s really good and is actually like a small story of Khushwant Singh life.
For complete review visit: https://bibilophile.wordpress.com/201...
But Khushwant Singh is different from all. He loves to criticise people but then he does not shy away from criticising himself also. As he says in the beginning of book that he is a big gossiper and opinionated, that is clearly reflected in each story of his. It seems at times that he just says whatever comes to his mind without thinking anything. You might find yourself hating and loving him at the same time. His friendship with Sanjay Gandhi and his support to Emergency seems questionable.
The stories are funny, witty and humorous. I know I have kind of used synonyms right now but this is how I felt while reading these completely enjoyable stories. With this book I have one advice and request that please do read introduction and don’t directly jump to the stories. It’s really good and is actually like a small story of Khushwant Singh life.
For complete review visit: https://bibilophile.wordpress.com/201...
August 23, 2024
This book is profiling on people Khuswant Singh has come across in his life. It's also an indirect take on himself as how he sees people. He profiles them in three category as the title suggests and provides unknown accounts of those individuals.
The good in his profile are Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru Manzur Qadir, Sanjay Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, George Fernandes. He didn’t directly titled them as good but he defended their actions with utmost loyalty (nearly to the level of a blind devotee). He defended Gandhi's act of celibacy and his sharing bed with younger women at night to test 'celibacy' in the same tone. He defended his friend Manzur Qadir's honesty as he defended Sanjay Gandhi's promt actions during emergency. He acknowledged Faiz's aristocrat living but hailed his love for poor and his life within the bars for his support for communism.
People in his bad book are mostly women and people like Krishna Menon, Tikka Khan, Mulkraj Anand. He wrote about thier shortcomings and highlighted their debauchery.
Some people I could not identify where to put in his list like V.S. Naipaul, Ziaur Rahman, Jinnah, Phoolan Devi are the popular ones.
I found this book interesting to read as it also served as a partial autobiography.
The good in his profile are Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru Manzur Qadir, Sanjay Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, George Fernandes. He didn’t directly titled them as good but he defended their actions with utmost loyalty (nearly to the level of a blind devotee). He defended Gandhi's act of celibacy and his sharing bed with younger women at night to test 'celibacy' in the same tone. He defended his friend Manzur Qadir's honesty as he defended Sanjay Gandhi's promt actions during emergency. He acknowledged Faiz's aristocrat living but hailed his love for poor and his life within the bars for his support for communism.
People in his bad book are mostly women and people like Krishna Menon, Tikka Khan, Mulkraj Anand. He wrote about thier shortcomings and highlighted their debauchery.
Some people I could not identify where to put in his list like V.S. Naipaul, Ziaur Rahman, Jinnah, Phoolan Devi are the popular ones.
I found this book interesting to read as it also served as a partial autobiography.
Read
July 3, 2020Books are always a kind fantasy and who can understand us better than a good book? So during an off chance, I encountered this book by Khushwant Singh at my friend’s place. Since my school days, I have been fanatic about this late writer. Learning his short stories and humorous descriptions about the people in his life, I could not stand a chance of missing out on this one.
The Good, The Bad and The Ridiculous is an eminent book by an impeccable writer, who explores beyond the limited horizon and does not feel shy from sharing his wild fantasies. He is a very bold and brave writer. Words are simple and so are the stories, but each sentence conveys a meaning that is much deeper than even your heart. This book by him encounters some of the greatest personalities he had met during his almost a century of living. He describes aptly about each one in this book, and while you may be still on the second page, it would have already stolen your heart.
Fine and regular details make this even more love and read-worthy. A generous book for genuine readers, this one by one of my favorite Indian writers is a sure read.
The Good, The Bad and The Ridiculous is an eminent book by an impeccable writer, who explores beyond the limited horizon and does not feel shy from sharing his wild fantasies. He is a very bold and brave writer. Words are simple and so are the stories, but each sentence conveys a meaning that is much deeper than even your heart. This book by him encounters some of the greatest personalities he had met during his almost a century of living. He describes aptly about each one in this book, and while you may be still on the second page, it would have already stolen your heart.
Fine and regular details make this even more love and read-worthy. A generous book for genuine readers, this one by one of my favorite Indian writers is a sure read.
June 29, 2021
🌵I have always enjoyed reading books authored by Khushwant Singh, especially his personal essays. I find his candid writing laced with honest opinions, sarcasm and humour is entertaining as well as delightful. And this book didn't disappoint me too.
🌵In this book, the author shares his take on 35 well-known profiles. Based on his encounters with each of them and what he had to say about them, lengths of each chapter vary. Thanks to his long, eventful and illustrious career, he had the opportunity to meet and cross paths with many popular and important personalities, ranging from politicians, diplomats, artists, celebrities to social activists, holy men/women and philanthropists. He has shared about lesser known aspects of the likes of Amrita Shergill, Begum Para, Pandit Nehru, George Fernandes, Krishna Menon, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and Ziaur Rahman in this book.
🌵This is a short book and a light read on serious people.
🌵My rating: 4✨/5
🌵In this book, the author shares his take on 35 well-known profiles. Based on his encounters with each of them and what he had to say about them, lengths of each chapter vary. Thanks to his long, eventful and illustrious career, he had the opportunity to meet and cross paths with many popular and important personalities, ranging from politicians, diplomats, artists, celebrities to social activists, holy men/women and philanthropists. He has shared about lesser known aspects of the likes of Amrita Shergill, Begum Para, Pandit Nehru, George Fernandes, Krishna Menon, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and Ziaur Rahman in this book.
🌵This is a short book and a light read on serious people.
🌵My rating: 4✨/5
February 22, 2018
The Good, the Bad and the Ridiculous is an interesting concept and has some terrific, very personal and visceral insights into some of the most prolific people (writers, government officials, presidents and prime ministers) that shaped India in an influential way. While the anecdotes are small (I actually wished some to be longer), its a breezy read and some of the pieces do seem coloured with Khushwant Singh's personal opinions of the said people alone. The kind of people mentioned generally always polarise the masses in their opinions of them. And whether one agrees with Khushwant Singh's personal agendas towards some or not, to me the essays are definitely worth reading over an evening.
March 11, 2022
In a short book of 130 pages Kushwant Singh profiles around 35 personalities. This in itself, in a way, indicates the depth or seriousness of this book. But, for sure, it is an entertaining read with Kushwant Singh, living up to his image, spares no one including himself. His profiles are full of anecdotes, trivia, and extramarital relationships satisfying the voyeuristic instincts. He covers a range of personalities, from Mahatma Gandhi to Phoolan Devi. It appears that he has no malice against the people he profiled. Mostly the profiles are written in a lighter vein. The only person with whom Mr.Singh seems to be extremely allergic is Krishna Menon.
Otherwise, it is a breezy and at many places funny read suitable for a dull evening.
Otherwise, it is a breezy and at many places funny read suitable for a dull evening.
April 15, 2025
I picked up this book when I was invited to a ceremony of a friend's newborn child, a mere 4 months old. I was looking for killing time since the ceremony was in the evening and I saw this book on his bookshelf. Being a Khushwant fan, I immediately took it and started reading. Unfortunately, evening came too soon and I had to put the book back.
When I came back, I resumed my reading on Kindle. It is an unabashedly honest book in my opinion. Mr. Singh clearly wrote what he thought of the personages he met in his life and wrote them down unapologetically.
Not a very lengthy book but I enjoyed reading about celebrity folks from his perspective and even got to know some of their other facets and idiosyncrasies.
Overall, a good book. Recommended to Khushwant Singh fans.
When I came back, I resumed my reading on Kindle. It is an unabashedly honest book in my opinion. Mr. Singh clearly wrote what he thought of the personages he met in his life and wrote them down unapologetically.
Not a very lengthy book but I enjoyed reading about celebrity folks from his perspective and even got to know some of their other facets and idiosyncrasies.
Overall, a good book. Recommended to Khushwant Singh fans.
September 18, 2020
A relaxing read
The book is a impression of few people whom Khushwant Singh has met. There are political comments which could trigger one. As he has said in the introduction this is an absolute no nonsense writing where he has implicated he liked few controversial people because of his favouritism or the help they have provided him.
One should know personalities and events post independence era to understand his narrative. There are few who are included with whom he did not have much relationship. Those chapters could have been the best use of scissors.
The book is a impression of few people whom Khushwant Singh has met. There are political comments which could trigger one. As he has said in the introduction this is an absolute no nonsense writing where he has implicated he liked few controversial people because of his favouritism or the help they have provided him.
One should know personalities and events post independence era to understand his narrative. There are few who are included with whom he did not have much relationship. Those chapters could have been the best use of scissors.
December 8, 2024
Reading the introduction of the book does help to understand the writer in this one. Khushwant Singh calls himself opinionated and that stands out the most in the profiles of the people he's written about. Sometimes I have found his statements to be just that, statements, they did not feel like opinions, even though they were. He has written outright what he felt, and he doesn't come across as a humble person either . But overall it was a good change from what I usually read and I'm happy to come across this type of a book.
June 22, 2020
Tit-Bits!
Shri. Khushwant Singh has given a very brief insights of well known personalities of his era. Except for a few, this era has for sure not known many of them.
Truly to the title, the author has touched upon the good, the bad and the ridiculous side of the personalities.
Wanna quick read, try this out.
Shri. Khushwant Singh has given a very brief insights of well known personalities of his era. Except for a few, this era has for sure not known many of them.
Truly to the title, the author has touched upon the good, the bad and the ridiculous side of the personalities.
Wanna quick read, try this out.
June 4, 2017
Loved it!
I loved this book in concept and the way it is written. Extremely insightful about the world that was. So many amazing people (or not) in history to know about. And he tells it like it was.
I loved this book in concept and the way it is written. Extremely insightful about the world that was. So many amazing people (or not) in history to know about. And he tells it like it was.
March 24, 2018
Khushwant Singh is at its best. He is acerbic, sarcastic and didn't spare anyone (not even himself) in the book. Lot of unknown incidents about famous people from all fields such as politics, bureaucracy, plays, movies are worth the read.
July 25, 2018
Khushwant Sir has described many famous and infamous celebrities of different genres in the most brutally honest way. These characterisations were completely contradictory to their social images and reputations.
July 31, 2018
You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”― Jim Rohn. In his long innings of 99 years Khushwant Singh spent time with the good , bad and ridiculous kind. These are his impressions of them .An easy read but not deep so not very remarkable book.
April 10, 2020
Very Honest and Informative
In this book the author has given information about various famous personalities with whom he had personal touch. Nice book if you want inside information about various personalities.
In this book the author has given information about various famous personalities with whom he had personal touch. Nice book if you want inside information about various personalities.
May 5, 2020
An exciting read, a bit controversial. One needs to have some prior knowledge on the people the author writes about. This book will definitely leave you curious to know more about the personalities it features.
May 22, 2020
Engrossing
Kushwant Singh's unapologetic, crude but beautiful writing gives a clear glimpse into the life of rhe Indian elite. The essays were neat and interesting, and funny in places. Readers can watch out for the pieces on Krishna Menon, Indira Gandhi and Zail Singh.
Kushwant Singh's unapologetic, crude but beautiful writing gives a clear glimpse into the life of rhe Indian elite. The essays were neat and interesting, and funny in places. Readers can watch out for the pieces on Krishna Menon, Indira Gandhi and Zail Singh.
May 31, 2021
Regret to not able to meet him
What a wonderful way of showing respect to the departed souls. Transparent & clean in revealing secrets.
I read the book to know more about KS.
Felt nice.
Shock to know he knew entire Nehru & Gandhi family.
God bless him.
What a wonderful way of showing respect to the departed souls. Transparent & clean in revealing secrets.
I read the book to know more about KS.
Felt nice.
Shock to know he knew entire Nehru & Gandhi family.
God bless him.
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