Two men of February - Manoj Das and Khushwant Singh

 As we March into the month of March, February is the month I remember for giving birth to two great Indian writers - Manoj Das an Odia writer of international fame and Khushwant Singh, who needs no introduction. Both are my favorites whose simple, crispy and lucid style of writing without using many bombadistic words has a tremendous influence on me. 

Both are unique and contradictory in their own way  - One known for his sagacious and the other for his salacious writings. Manoj Das's writing touches the simple truth and philosophy of life. He never hurts a fly. But Khushwant Singh never spared anyone, including himself and his Sardar community by his self deprecating jokes, often mocking at his own religion and community.

Books by both authors are enchanting writing and make a fabulous read. Manoj Das was an excellent story tellers, his philosophical writing was way beyond to comprehend for a layman tyro like me. Both have some serious writings to their credit - Manoj Das with his philosophical stuff which can only be understood and appreciated by folks at an higher level of intellect (not me). Khushwant Singh is known for his volumes of "History of Sikhs" which is regarded as an authentic treatise and researched encyclopedia about the Sikh community and the religion.

Manoj Das was a vegetarian and spiritual person to core. Khushwant Singh loved his Spirits in the form his Scotch every evening. Prayers and Devotional songs were Sri Das's company during the evening, while the old Sardar cherished the company of wine and women his company. The fairer sex were attracted towards his intellect. He listened to their sorrows (most women have their secret sorrows to share) and his company was a soothing balm for them. The Sardar was smart enough to figure out Indians mind's hypocrisy and obsession with sex which he catered well in his work. Manoj Das never veered into that territory in his writing which was clean as a whistle.

Unlike poles are known attract each other. Manoj Das's short stories were serialized by Khushwant Singh when the later edited "THE ILLUSTRATED WEEKLY", the most widely read and circulated magazine in 1970s. Those days many were desperate to get their short stories published in Illustrated Weekly magazine. But Khushwant Singh would include Manoj Das's short stories which he found to be uniquely unique, very authentic and original.

Writings styles of both eminent writers were poles apart. The Sardar, a master of glut of smut, thrived on liberal dosage of crude humor, fart and sex, whereas Manoj Das's revolved on nature and life, the subtle humor hovering around its vagaries. No wonder Khushwant Singh who rejected many stories sent to him published many short stories written by Manoj Das because of the authenticity in the later's writing. Sri Das eulogized the witty Sardar as "JANE NIRBHIKA LEKHAKA" (One fearless writer). It is proved by the fact he dared to take head on the likes of Bal Thackarey and Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale at a time most other journos when expected to bend, volunteered to crawl before the those self proclaimed lords and myopic hate mongers).

Manoj Das, in his tribute to Khushwant Singh after the later's death has described how liquor used to flow during evenings at the Sardar's party, while Manoj Das would be sipping his endless glasses of Tomato juice. These two great writers formed a unique bond in diversity, of mutual trust and respect. The old Sardar still kept writing well into his late 90s and may Sri Manoj Das too. Khushwant Singh lived until 99 and Manoj Das late 80s. Kudos to both.