Vikram Seth

Vikram Seth Biography

Vikram Seth is a popular Indian writer who writes novels and poetry. His novels are The Golden Gate (1986), A Suitable Boy (1993), An Equal Music (1999) and the most latest - A Suitable Girl (2013). His poetry works include - Mappings (1980), The Humble Administrator's Garden (1985), All You Who Sleep Tonight (1990), Beastly Tales (1991), Three Chinese Poets (1992) and The Frog and the Nightingale (1994). He is the son of Justice Leila Seth, the first woman judge on the Delhi High Court.

He has published one children’s book - Beastly Tales (1991) and his other works include - From Heaven Lake: Travels through Sinkiang and Tibet (1983), Two Lives and The Rivered Earth. In 2007, Indian government honoured him with Padma Shri in Literature & Education. Crossword Book Award for An Equal Music in 1999, WH Smith Literary Award for A Suitable Boy in 1994 and Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in 2005 are other major honours received by him.

Seth was born on 20 June 1952 to Leila and Prem Seth in Kolkata. But his childhood days were spent in Patna where he completed his school education. His graduation was done at The Doon School. Later he spent his life in London where he completed A-Levels at Tonbridge School, England. During this time he got attracted to poetry and learnt Chinese language also. He returned to India in 1957. Seth also completed a graduate degree in economics at Stanford University. Seth now maintains residences near Salisbury, England where he associates himself with many cultural events.

Seth self-identifies as bisexual. In 2006, he campaigned against Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. His younger sister, Aradhana, is a filmmaker. Seth is a polyglot who is verse in several languages including Mandarin, English, Hindi, Urdu, Welsh, German and French.

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Updated: December 28, 2013