Keki N. Daruwalla

Biography

Keki Nasserwanji Daruwalla is one of India’s most respected English-language poets and short story writers, known for his vivid imagery, realism, and social awareness. His work reflects the complexities of human life, Indian society, and the natural world, making him one of the leading figures in modern Indian English poetry.

🌿 Early Life and Background

Keki N. Daruwalla was born in 1940 in Lahore (then part of undivided India). After the Partition of 1947, his family moved to India. He studied at Gujarat University, where he earned a master’s degree in English Literature.

He later joined the Indian Police Service (IPS) and served in various capacities, including the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. His professional life exposed him to diverse aspects of human nature and society — experiences that deeply influenced his writing.

✍️ Literary Career

Daruwalla made his literary debut with the poetry collection Under Orion (1970), which immediately established him as a distinctive voice. His works are known for their realism, philosophical depth, and rich imagery, often reflecting his observations of violence, morality, and the natural environment.

Major Poetry Collections:

Under Orion (1970)

Apparition in April (1971)

Crossing of Rivers (1976) — Sahitya Akademi Award (1984)

The Keeper of the Dead (1982)

Landscapes (1987)

The Map-maker (2002)

Collected Poems: 1970–2005 (2006)

Short Story Collections:

Sword and Abyss (1979)

The Minister for Permanent Unrest and Other Stories (1996)

Islands (2014)

Daruwalla has also written novels such as For Pepper and Christ (2009) and Ancestral Affairs (2015), showing his versatility across genres.

🌺 Themes and Style

Daruwalla’s poetry is marked by clarity, discipline, and intensity. His work often explores:

Violence and human suffering

The conflict between faith and doubt

Nature and its symbolic power

Social injustice and political realities

Mortality and spiritual reflection

He combines lyricism with irony, and his language is both rich and restrained. His police background lends authenticity to his depictions of crime, chaos, and moral complexity.

🏅 Awards and Recognition

Sahitya Akademi Award (1984) for The Keeper of the Dead

Commonwealth Poetry Prize (Asia) (1987)

Padma Shri (2014) for literature and education

His poems are widely anthologized and studied in universities across India and abroad.

🕊️ Legacy and Influence

Keki N. Daruwalla’s contribution to Indian English poetry is both profound and enduring. He brought a sense of realism, discipline, and narrative strength to poetry, balancing emotional depth with intellectual precision.

As both a civil servant and a poet, he has offered readers a rare and honest insight into India’s social and moral landscapes.

🌼 Conclusion

Keki N. Daruwalla remains a towering figure in Indian literature, admired for his craft, moral vision, and mastery of language. Through his poetry and prose, he continues to remind readers that art can confront reality with both compassion and courage.