Dom Moraes

Dom Moraes Biography

Dom Moraes was an Indian writer of English language. He has authored more than 30 books including some poetry and is one of the earliest established names of English writers from India. His collection of poems – ‘A Beginning’ bagged Hawthornden Prize for the best work of the imagination for the year 1958. He is the son of noted journalist and former editor of the Times of India, Frank Moraes. He was one among those rare Indian personalities who criticized Indian Army takeover of Goa from Portuguese in 1961.

This author married thrice and divorced all his wives too. He was first married to British artists' model and memoirist, Henrietta Moraes. They married in 1961 after 5 years of courtship but divorced by the mid-1960s. Judith was his second wife and his third marriage was with celebrated Indian model cum actress, Leela Naidu. The couple too parted after 25 years.  They lived in Hong Kong, New York, New Delhi, and Mumbai like a star couple. He was addicted to drinking during his last years and refused to treat cancer. He died in sleep from a heart attack in Bandra in 2004.

Dominic Francis "Dom" Moraes was born on 19 July 1938 in Mumbai to Frank Moraes, former editor of the Times of India. After school education he went abroad for higher studies. He returned India after years, living in many countries. It was during his stay at Britain he met Henrietta Moraes. He served as editor of magazines in many foreign countries became the editor of The Asia Magazine in 1971. He also scripted and directed many documentary films for BBC and also employed as a war correspondent. He interviewed Dalai Lama at the age of 20.

He started writing at the age of 14 and it’s not easy to read and understand his works. He learnt French in order to be able to read Villon in the original. But he took a long break from writing during 1965-1982. His writer’s block lasted for 17 years which ended when he met Sarayu Srivatsa.

Published: N/A

Updated: June 19, 2014