Contents
Irwin Allan Sealy is an Indian writer, who is known as one of India’s most prominent post-Independence writers. He has authored multiple literary pieces such as Red: An Alphabet (2006), The Small Wild Goose Pagoda: An Almanack (2014), Zelaldinus: A Masque (2017), and Asoca: A Sutra (2021).
Wiki/Biography
Irwin Allan Sealy was born in 1951 (age 72 years; as of 2023) in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. He completed his schooling at La Martinière College, Lucknow and pursued his higher education at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University. Later, he went on to study and work in various countries including the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Currently, he spends a significant amount of his time in Dehra Dun, Uttarakhand.
Family
Parents & Siblings
There is not much information about his parents and siblings.
Wife & Children
In 1985, he got married to Cushla Fitzsimmons.
Address
D-101 Race Course, Dehra Dun, U.P. 248001, India.
Career
In 1988, Irwin Allan Sealy published his debut novel, The Trotter Nama. Apart from his fictional works, he has also penned a travelogue titled From Yukon to Yukatan: A Western Journey. He is famous for his works like The Trotter-Nama: A Chronicle, (New York: Knopf, 1988; London: Penguin Books, 1990; New York: Viking Penguin, 1990), Hero: A Fable (London: Secker and Warburg, 1991), From Yukon to Yukatan: a Western Journey (London: Secker & Warburg, 1994), The Everest Hotel: A Calendar (London: Doubleday, 1998), The Brainfever Bird (London: Picador, 2003), Red: An Alphabet (London: Picador, 2006), The Small Wild Goose Pagoda: An Almanack (New Delhi: Aleph, 2014), Zelaldinus: A Masque (New Delhi: Almost Island, 2017), and Asoca: A Sutra (New Delhi: Penguin Random House, 2021). His 2017 publication Zelaldinus: A Masque featured Akbar, a king who was known for his greatness. Asoca: A Sutra (2021) is a fictional memoir authored by Irwin Allan Sealy, depicting the life of one of India’s renowned royal figures, Emperor Ashoka.
Red: An Alphabet (2006)
The novel “Red” is narrated by a character named ‘N’ and takes the form of an alphabet. It begins with the introduction of N’s friend, Zach, who falls in love with the red-headed Aline while attending a music festival in St. Petersburg. The novel explores themes of love, art, and the end of life.
The Small Wild Goose Pagoda: An Almanack (2014)
The Small Wild Goose Pagoda is a book about a 433 square yard piece of land in India owned by the Sealy family. Allan Sealy reflects on his life and goes from Householder to Forest Dweller. The narrative is written in the form of an almanack and includes characters such as a family retainer, a master brick-layer, and a stoic assistant. Written by Irwin Allan Sealy, the book offers an evocative account of small town life and serves as a meditation on work, family, nature, society, and time.
Asoca: A Sutra (2021)
In the third century BC, Asoka, also known as Ashoka the Great, governed a significant portion of India. He was responsible for the spread of Buddhism throughout Asia, but his involvement in a deadly war was also notable. However, after experiencing the destructive consequences of the war, he renounced violence and embraced Buddhism, committing to a vow of non-violence. A well-researched historical novel captures the essence of the Mauryan dynasty era, providing a vivid and insightful account.
Awards, Honours, Achievements
- Irwin Allan Sealy was honoured with the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, Best First Book, Europe and South Asia, in 1989.
- In 1991, he received the Sahitya Akademi Award.
- Irwin Allan Sealy was awarded the Crossword Book Award in 1998.
- In 1998, Irwin Allan Sealy’s book, The Everest Hotel: A Calendar, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
- In 2012, Irwin Allan Sealy was honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri award.
Irwin Allan Sealy receiving Padma Shri Award