Ashok Banker

Ashok Banker Biography

Ashok Banker is an Indian writer and journalist who writes on crime thrillers and mythological works most. A trilogy billed as "India's first crime novels in English’ is his most noted work. His retellings of Indian mythological epics made him a popular writer of present times. His internationally acclaimed ‘Ramayana Series’ in 8 volumes is the most noted work belonging to this genre and this work brought back writings on mythology back to screen. His books have sold over 2 million copies and have been published in 16 languages in 58 countries, thus putting his name under one among the best contemporary writers from India at present. Now he has joined the category of top Indian thinkers and celebrities as well. He also writes critics’ works as well as essays.

His full name is Ashok Kumar Banker and also known by the name, Ashok K Banker. He was born to an Anglo-Indian Christian mother and a Gujarati Hindu father. His parents got separated before he was born and later he was brought up by his mother and grandmother. Banker was raised in an Anglo-Indian Christian atmosphere. Yet he was given freedom to choose his religion. But he preferred to ‘stay human’. He was raised lack of religion, caste or racial identity and it often resulted in abuses from the society that he lived. Banker grew up with little or no exposure to Hindu culture, religion or literature.

After studies Banker worked as a successful freelance journalist and columnist for several years. He was a prolific reviewer and commentator on contemporary Indian literature in his early career. He has been associated with The Times of India, Mumbai and Outlook magazine, Delhi. Apart from Ramayana Series, a few of his published books are Amazing Adventure at Chotta Sheher, The Pocket Essential Bollywood, The Missing Parents Mystery and Murder & Champagne.

Published: N/A

Updated: April 01, 2014