‘Gulp by gulp, in the air-conditioned study, he swallowed civilisation.’ — Amit Chaudhuri

‘And his talent became a problematic responsibility he did not know what to do with; it was as if, having given so much to his gift – hard work, practice – he wanted something in return; and not having got that “something”, whatever it might be, he had decided to punish both himself and everyone around him.’

‘The car horns created an anxious music, discordant but not indifferent.’

‘... a severe woman with a patient but unprevaricating gaze, who turned out to be Indira Gandhi.’