Mulk Raj Anand (1905-2004)

In a week of literary deaths, Putu mourns the death of Mulk Raj Anand. Educated in Cambridge and London, he lived in Britain for many years. His novel Untouchable, which details the life of a 15 year old untouchable boy, first brought him literary acclaim. It is believed that the story was written in response to a personal tragedy- his aunt committed suicide after being ostracised for dining with a Muslim. Anand died of pneumonia in Pune at the age of 99.