Endeavours: Rasika Khanna reviews the new memoir by economist NK Singh
Source Entity
Latest News: Todays Latest News Headlines from India & World | Hindustan Times
Rasika Khanna reviews NK Singh's memoir, 'Endeavours: An Ensemble of My Life', highlighting his multifaceted personality beyond his professional career. The book offers a personal look at the economist's passions for music, photography, and gardening.
A Departure from Conventional Memoirs
In her review of Endeavours: An Ensemble of My Life, Rasika Khanna offers a refreshing perspective on a genre often dominated by dry, policy-heavy narratives. Typically, memoirs penned by economists, diplomats, and high-ranking policymakers are characterized by their focus on institutional achievements, geopolitical maneuvering, and administrative milestones. However, Khanna identifies this work as a striking exception, marking a significant departure from the standard autobiographical template usually expected from such figures.
The Multifaceted Identity of NK Singh
What makes this memoir particularly compelling is its refusal to center on the professional accolades of NK Singh. Instead, the narrative serves as a window into his private world—a space defined by artistic and personal pursuits rather than economic indices or bureaucratic challenges. Khanna notes that the author presents himself as a photographer, a lover of roses, and a dedicated gardener, forcing the reader to reconsider the complexity of an individual who has spent decades in the public eye.
Devotion to Hindustani Classical Music
For Khanna, a Bharatanatyam exponent, the most resonant aspect of the memoir is Singh’s profound commitment to Hindustani classical music. In the chapter titled Om: The Eternal Sound, Singh chronicles his evolution from an inquisitive childhood listener—often hearing the music in clandestine settings—to a sophisticated patron and connoisseur. This transformation highlights the importance of cultural literacy in the lives of public servants, suggesting that his appreciation for the arts informs his broader worldview.
The Intersection of Art and Public Life
By emphasizing his interests in Japanese culture, photography, and the arts, Singh challenges the traditional archetype of the 'economist.' This memoir suggests that the rigor required for high-level policy work is effectively balanced, or perhaps even nurtured, by a deep engagement with aesthetic beauty. The inclusion of gardening—specifically his love for rose cultivation—further humanizes the author, grounding his intellectual life in the tangible, patient processes of nature.
A Broader Legacy of Curiosity
Ultimately, Endeavours: An Ensemble of My Life stands as a testament to the idea that an individual’s identity is not monolithic. By exploring the 'many NKs' that reside within one person, Khanna’s review highlights the value of intellectual curiosity that extends beyond one's profession. It encourages readers to look at public figures not merely as agents of statecraft, but as individuals with rich, diverse inner lives that significantly color their public contributions.
Verification Required?