RUPAK ROY: A CHOSEN LIFE OF SOLITUDE IN THE WILDERNESS By Mihir Srivastava

Rupak Roy built a house in the middle of nowhere in the Nilgiri hills and started living 35 years ago when he was 35 years of age. It's a three-hour drive from Coimbatore, the nearest big town.

I met him first, when I went to see his mother, Salvia, the day she turned 100. She is my oldest friend, and to me the secret of her long life is that she never aspired for one, and lived every day as it came, with zest, positivity and took some commendable steps, always true to her indomitable spirit that remains undiminished in all these years. But this profile is about her son Rupak.

In my first interaction with Silva, I was captivated by the artwork displayed in her apartment, particularly the portrait of her husband, Tulin Kumar Roy, that hangs prominently in her room. I almost could have had a conversation with that portrait, it felt so alive. I asked about the artist. “My son Rupak,” she said, her eyes widened a bit. 

So, I was first introduced to Rupak by his art, a year before I would meet him in person. That portrait of his father remained etched in my mind. I like the landscapes, and other works he has painted, all fairly distinct in style, as if he was finding his own style by treading on uncharted paths. But there was something quintessential about him in his varied works, for I knew, almost instinctively, all these paintings were made by the same person.  

We met at a café in the ‘still quaint’ Hauz Khas market. Rupak talked in short sentences, was open and happy to talk about his life. He grew up in Delhi, did his schooling from the American School, and was amongst the last few batches, before it became an Embassy School, mostly for the expats. His parents were of the view that this kind of schooling will come handy when he pursues higher studies in the US, and subsequently make a living there. 

Growing up in South Delhi, he met his lifelong friend Vikram. They lived in the same neighbourhood and, broadly, had a similar idea about a life worth living. 

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 All his departures are sort of an arrival, giving his life a new meaning, free from conventional stipulations​ and constraints. Reading is a powerful learning tool, Rupak employed it well and grew rich in knowledge. Though he has remained confined to a small cottage for half of his life, reading notionally took him to places; he has relived many lives and experiences.

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Rupak, after studies, went to the US and stayed for a year, it was long enough to realise this is not his cup of tea. But that was just not enough. He needed to know how he’d like to spend life.  

On his return from the US, he travelled the ​​length and breadth of India. Vikram’s uncle lived in Dehradun, and was researching for his book on the famous English writer DH Lawrence, who spent sometime in Kasar Devi village, near Almora. Kasar Devi is known for its spiritually charged surroundings and attracting various artists, writers and thinkers, the likes of Bob Dylan and Allen Ginsberg. DH Lawrence's stay here is said to have had a profound impact on his later writings.

While conducting his research, Vikram’s uncle stayed in a shack that over the years evolved into a beautiful home. Rupak and Vikram were inspired by the beauty of seamless existence with nature.

He found a place to his liking in the green Nilgiri hills. It isn’t too hot nor too cold here, one can comfortably exit without a fan or heating throughout the year. Rupak purchased a plot of land, and so did his friend, Vikram, within a year, followed by two other friends. They built their separate houses in the vicinity of each other. 

Rupak lived here full time. He hired the help of a local woman, so that he can have time to paint, read, music, play guitar, and teach himself new things. He has three guitars, one of them was acquired 65 years ago, that too second hand. They all are in mint condition. Things stand the test of time, here, it seems, time slows down.

All his departures were sort of an arrival, giving his life a new meaning, free from conventional stipulations​ and constraints. He understands limitations are not always debilitating, instead encouraging people to find new ways of doing old things. Reading is a powerful learning tool. Rupak employed it well and grew rich in knowledge. Though he has remained confined to a small cottage for half of his life, reading notionally took him to places; he has relived many lives and experiences.

This is to emphasise how widespread his knowledge about people and places is: when he came to know that I belong to Allahabad, he said, ‘I have never been to Allahabad, but I know the place.’ Allahabad had three African trees, Baobab, in the 1830s; one of them has survived. This he learned reading a memoir of an English woman who lived near the confluence of the holy rivers of Ganges and Yamuna in Allahabad during the 1830s.

Rupak's parents didn’t burden him with their expectations, instead supported him because they wanted him to be happy. He needed very little to lead a quality life here. The family exchanged visits. 

The lady who worked for him all these years is well past her prime, and, therefore, can do little. So, Rupak keeps busy running domestic chores, and is left with little time to pursue his hobbies. He stays connected with the outer world by way of his mobile phone, and, occasionally, uses Internet.

Though age is just a number, yet he takes better care of himself, so that he can stay on here for many more years, and lead his dream life in his dream house.

The area has become greener since he arrived, and is now infested with wild animals, snakes are frequent visitors, don’t be surprised if you cross paths with a leopard; elephants run amok here. While wildlife is on the rise, people, especially the younger folks have left for greener pastures. And so only the elderly live here, barely managing to eke out a living.

There are no regrets, he loves his life and the choices he has made. The second of the three brothers, the other two made more conventional choices. He loves his company the most, therefore, solitude is a cherished state of being. He is leading a chosen life of solitude in the wilderness, and it is wonderful.