Here’s a list of 10 biographies of pioneering Indians -- from Dr Ambedkar and Satyajit Ray to APJ Abdul Kalam and Kapil Dev -- that will leave you inspired.
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In his biography, ‘India’s Missile Man’ Dr APJ Abdul Kalam recalls that when he worked as a newspaper boy as a child, he would fold the paper in the shape of a rocket before throwing it towards a house, so it would land straight in the home’s compound.
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Often, big dreams of making discoveries, setting records, and spawning revolutions start from such seemingly silly stories. The biographies of India’s great personalities are an accumulation of many such tales, which tell of their hardwork and perseverance, and what it took to leave a mark on India’s history.
Here are our recommendations of must-read biographies that will leave you inspired:
1. Dilip Kumar: The Definitive Biography by Bunny Reuban
“This is the story of Dilip Kumar, an introverted and inhibited youth who metamorphosed into a thespian par excellence by the sheer dint of his determination, perseverance and capability.”
Dilip became the face of Indian cinema and produced several notable films. The book deals with his personal life and his relationship with the film fraternity.
The author is an Indian film historian, journalist and publicist.
Buy the book here.
2. Satyajit Ray: The Inner Eye by Andrew Robinson
One of the greatest filmmakers the country has ever seen, Satyajit Ray was an exceptionally versatile artist. He won every major prize in cinema for his films including Apu Trilogy, The Music Room, Charulata, Days and Nights in the Forest, The Chess Players and The Stranger. The book is written by interviewing the legend himself, his friends, well-wishers, actors, and family.
The author is a British writer and former newspaper editor.
Buy the book here.
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3. The Man Who Knew Infinity (Srinivasa Ramanujan) by Robert Kanigel
This book details the relationship between mathematics genius Ramanujan and his tutor G H Hardy from Cambridge University.
Their friendship turned the fate of mathematics across the world. It was in 1913 that Ramanujan, an unschooled Indian clerk, wrote a letter to G H Hardy, begging his opinion on several ideas the former had about numbers. This resulted in Ramanujan’s arrival to England.
The book was also adapted into a 2016 film starring Dev Patel, Jeremy Irons, Stephen Fry, Toby Jones, and Devika Bhise.
Buy the book here.
4. Sir C V Raman by Uma Parameswaran
Being the first non-white as well as the first Asian to receive a Nobel Prize in a branch of science in 1930, C V Raman’s academic achievements have been highly documented.
But only a few document his personal life. This book is among them, covering the major influences and events that made Raman the scientist that he was.
The author is a Canadian writer of Indian origin.
Buy the book here.
5. Beyond the Last Blue Mountain (JRD Tata) by R M Lala
The book covers major milestones from the pioneering industrialist’s birth until his death in 1993.
It has four parts — the first deals with his early years and accession to the chairmanship of Tatas at the age of thirty-four; the second covers the period that led to the initiation of the Indian aviation industry; the third talks about his reign as an outstanding personality of India’s industries; and the fourth deals with his personal relationships with political figures as well as celebrities.
The author is an editor and publisher known for his chronicles of the Tatas.
Buy the book here.
6. Gandhi Before India (M K Gandhi) by Ramachandra Guha
In this book, Guha recalls lesser known tales from Gandhi’s life, explaining how the young barrister became the world’s ‘Mahatma’.
The book discusses his early life until his return from South Africa, as well as his personal friendships and belongingness to different religions.
The author is an Indian historian, environmentalist, economist, writer and public intellectual.
Buy the book here.
7. Waiting for a Visa – BR Ambedkar
This book is the autobiography of Dr B R Ambedkar, the father of Indian Constitution.
Written in his own writing, it details Dr Ambedkar’s experiences with untouchability and how he was “waiting for a visa” to escape from a land of such painful realities
Buy the book here.
8. Wings of Fire – An Autobiography by APJ Abdul Kalam and Arun Tiwari
The visionary scientist and former president of India had a humble beginning.
He started his journey as a newspaper boy. The book contains personal moments and life experiences of this great scientist, and how “he was of the firm belief that each one of us was born with the strength and potential to make a tangible change in the world”. The book recollects anecdotes from his childhood and his discoveries, as well as the stories behind them. It also details Dr Kalam’s dearest relationships and his love for children.
Arun Tiwari, who co-authored the book, is an Indian missile scientist, author and professor.
Buy the book here.
9. Straight from the Heart: An Autobiography – Kapil Dev
This autobiography recorded as an interview with Jyoti Sabharwal spans the legendary cricketer’s journey from his initial days in the sport to the retirement.
It also touches upon unknown stories, like how he was offered Rs 25 lakh to fix a match, income tax raids, friendships on and off the ground, and much more.
Buy the book here.
10. The Race of My Life by Milkha Singh
The book narrates how the Partition destroyed Milkha’s childhood, leaving eight of his siblings, as well as his parents, dead.
It narrates how running formed a major theme in life — from his earlier days as a juvenile delinquent running from the police, to his days as the best athlete as an Army recruit, and finally, to winning India’s first ever gold in athletics during the Commonwealth Games.
Buy the book here.
Edited by Divya Sethu
As an expert and enthusiast, I can provide information on the concepts mentioned in the article you shared. The article discusses 10 biographies of pioneering Indians that are recommended for readers seeking inspiration. Here's a breakdown of the concepts mentioned in the article:
Dilip Kumar: The Definitive Biography by Bunny Reuban
- This biography tells the story of Dilip Kumar, a renowned Indian actor who became the face of Indian cinema. The book explores his personal life and his relationship with the film fraternity. The author, Bunny Reuban, is an Indian film historian, journalist, and publicist.
Satyajit Ray: The Inner Eye by Andrew Robinson
- This biography focuses on Satyajit Ray, one of India's greatest filmmakers. Ray was known for his versatility and won numerous awards for his films. The book is based on interviews with Ray, his friends, well-wishers, actors, and family. The author, Andrew Robinson, is a British writer and former newspaper editor.
The Man Who Knew Infinity (Srinivasa Ramanujan) by Robert Kanigel
- This book explores the relationship between mathematics genius Srinivasa Ramanujan and his tutor G.H. Hardy from Cambridge University. Ramanujan's unschooled background and his letter to Hardy in 1913 led to his arrival in England. The book was also adapted into a film in 2016. The author, Robert Kanigel, delves into the life of Ramanujan and his contributions to mathematics.
Sir C V Raman by Uma Parameswaran
- This biography focuses on Sir C V Raman, an Indian physicist who became the first non-white and first Asian to receive a Nobel Prize in a branch of science in 1930. The book covers Raman's academic achievements as well as his personal life. The author, Uma Parameswaran, is a Canadian writer of Indian origin.
Beyond the Last Blue Mountain (JRD Tata) by R M Lala
- This book chronicles the life of JRD Tata, a pioneering industrialist in India. It covers major milestones from his birth until his death in 1993. The book is divided into four parts, exploring different aspects of his life, including his early years, his contributions to the Indian aviation industry, his reign as a prominent figure in India's industries, and his personal relationships. The author, R M Lala, is an editor and publisher known for his chronicles of the Tata family.
Gandhi Before India (M K Gandhi) by Ramachandra Guha
- This book delves into the lesser-known tales from Mahatma Gandhi's life, exploring how the young barrister became the world-renowned figure known as the 'Mahatma.' It covers his early life and his return from South Africa, as well as his personal friendships and his connection to different religions. The author, Ramachandra Guha, is an Indian historian, environmentalist, economist, writer, and public intellectual.
Waiting for a Visa – BR Ambedkar
- This book is the autobiography of Dr. B R Ambedkar, the father of the Indian Constitution. Written by Ambedkar himself, it details his experiences with untouchability and his struggle to escape from a land marked by painful realities. The book sheds light on Ambedkar's journey and his fight for social justice.
Wings of Fire – An Autobiography by APJ Abdul Kalam and Arun Tiwari
- This autobiography is co-authored by APJ Abdul Kalam, a visionary scientist and former president of India, and Arun Tiwari, an Indian missile scientist, author, and professor. The book shares personal moments and life experiences of Kalam, highlighting his belief in the potential of individuals to make a tangible change in the world. It also explores his childhood, his discoveries, and his relationships, including his love for children.
Straight from the Heart: An Autobiography – Kapil Dev
- This autobiography, recorded as an interview with Jyoti Sabharwal, traces the journey of legendary cricketer Kapil Dev from his early days in the sport to his retirement. It covers various aspects of his life, including unknown stories, such as being offered money to fix a match, income tax raids, and his friendships on and off the cricket field.
The Race of My Life by Milkha Singh
- This book narrates the life of Milkha Singh, an Indian athlete known as the Flying Sikh. It explores how the Partition of India affected his childhood and how running became a major theme in his life. The book highlights his journey from being a juvenile delinquent to becoming India's first-ever gold medalist in athletics during the Commonwealth Games.
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