Owen Allen Seeley was an Indian writer, known as one of the most famous writers of post-independence India. He is the author of several literary works such as Red: The Alphabet (2006), Little Wild Goose Pagoda: Annals (2014), Zelatinus: The Mask (2017) and Ahsoka: The Sutra (2021).
Wiki/Biography
Irwin Allan Sealy was born in 1951 in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India (age 72 in 2023). He completed his education at La Martiniere College, Lucknow and continued his higher education at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University. Later, he went to the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and other countries to study and work. Currently, he spends most of his time in Dehra Dun, Uttarakhand.
family
Parents and siblings
There is not much information about his parents and siblings.
wife and children
In 1985, he married Kushla Fitzsimmons.
address
D-101 Race Course, Dehradun, UP 248001, India.
Profession
In 1988, Owen Alan Seeley published his debut novel, The Trotter Nama. In addition to his fictional works, he also wrote a travelogue titled From Yukon to Yucatan: A Journey to the West. He is best known for his works such as Trotter-Nama: A Chronicle (New York: Knopf, 1988; London: Penguin Books, 1990; New York: Viking Penguin, 1990) and Heroes: A Fable (London: Secker and Warburg). 1991), From Yukon to Yucatan: A Journey to the West (London: Secker & Warburg, 1994), The Everest Hotel: A Calendar (London: Doubleday, 1998), The Brain Bird (London: Picador, 2003), Red: The Alphabet (London: Picador, 2006), The Little Wild Goose Pagoda: An Almanac (New Delhi: Aleph, 2014), Zelaldinus: The Mask (New Delhi: Almost Island, 2017), and Ahsoka: A Book ” (New Delhi: Penguin Random Books) House, 2021). His 2017 book Zelaldinus: A Masque features Akbar, a king renowned for his greatness. Ashoka: A Sutra (2021) is a fictional memoir by Owen Allen Seeley that charts the life of Ashoka, one of India’s famous royal figures.
Red: Alphabet (2006)
The novel “Red” is narrated by a character named “N” and takes the form of an alphabet. The story begins with the introduction of N’s friend Zach, who fell in love with the red-haired Irene while attending a music festival in St. Petersburg. The novel explores themes of love, art, and the end of life.
Small Wild Goose Pagoda Yearbook (2014)
“Little Wild Goose Pagoda” is a book about a 433 square yard land owned by the Seeley family in India. Alan Seeley looks back on his life, from householder to forest dweller. The story is written in the form of an almanac and includes characters such as a family retainer, a master bricklayer and a stoic assistant. Written by Irwin Allan Sealy, the book is an evocative account of small-town life and a meditation on work, family, nature, society and time.
Ahsoka: The Bible (2021)
In the third century BC, Ashoka, also known as Ashoka the Great, ruled over a large part of India. He was responsible for the spread of Buddhism throughout Asia, but his involvement in a deadly war is also noteworthy. However, after experiencing the devastating consequences of the war, he renounced violence and converted to Buddhism, vowing non-violence. A well-researched historical novel that captures the essence of the Mauryan era, providing a vivid and insightful narrative.
Awards, Honors, Achievements
- In 1989 Irwin Allan Sealy won the Commonwealth Writers’ Award for Best European and South Asian First Novel.
- In 1991, he received the Sahitya Akademi Award.
- Irwin Allan Sealy won the 1998 Crossword Book Award.
- In 1998, Owen Alan Seeley’s book Everest Hotel: A Calendar was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
- In 2012, Irwin Allan Sealy was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri Award.
Irwin Allan Sealy wins Padma Shri
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education