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{{Short description|Indian novelist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox writer
| name = Neelum Saran Gour
| image =NeelumSaranGour.jpg
| caption = Neelum Saran Gour reading at the literary event, ''Memory as Muse'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/of-moods-and-memories/article8570418.ece|title=Of moods and memories|access-date=2016-07-27|newspaper=The Hindu|date=8 May 2016|last1=Singh|first1=Aatika}}</ref>[[Oxford Bookstore]], New Delhi
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1955|10|12|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Allahabad]], India
| occupation = Writer and academic
| language = [[English language|English]], [[Hindi]]
| nationality = [[India]]n
| alma_mater = [[Allahabad University]]
| genre = [[Fiction]]
| website = {{URL|http://www.neelumsarangour.com}}
| imagesize =
}}
'''Neelum Saran Gour'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/sunday-edition/agenda/backbone/chronicling-allahabad-university.html|title=Chronicling Allahabad University|website=www.dailypioneer.com|access-date=2016-07-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/neelum-saran-cour-on-the-125-year-old-allahabad-university/article7403234.ece|title=Allahabad University: A lore collector's recollections|date=2015-07-09|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=2016-07-16}}</ref> (born 12 October 1955) is an Indian English writer of fiction that depicts North India's small towns and their cultural histories. She is the author of six novels, four collections of short stories and one work of literary [[non-fiction]]. She has edited a pictorial volume on the history and culture of the city of [[Allahabad]], where she lives and works, and has also translated one of her early novels into Hindi.

==Early life and education==
Born in [[Allahabad]], Neelum Saran Gour is the child of a Bengali mother and a Hindiphone father and was exposed to an array of languages and cultural influences in her childhood. Educated in [[St. Mary's Convent Inter College]], a school run by Roman Catholic nuns, she went on to study History, Philosophy and English Literature at the [[University of Allahabad]] in the early nineteen seventies. In 1977, she was appointed Lecturer in English in the Department of English at the [[University of Allahabad|Allahabad University]] and now holds the position of Professor in her subject, English Literature.

== Career ==
Neelum Saran Gour's first writings were magazine stories published in Indian literary magazines. Managing Director of Penguin India, David Davidar the solicited her for a volume of short stories. Her debut collection ''Grey Pigeon and Other Stories'' was released by Penguin India in 1993. She then won a Writers’ Fellowship in Britain from the Charles Wallace India Trust. Her next book, a novel, was titled ''Speaking of '62'' and was published by Penguin in 1995. This was followed in 1997 by ''Winter Companions And Other Stories''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/books/story/19971013-book-review-winter-companions-and-other-stories-by-neelam-s-gour-830725-1997-10-12|title=Book review: Winter Companions and Other Stories by Neelam S. Gour|access-date=2016-07-16}}</ref>

In 2002 appeared ''Virtual Realities''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/books/story/20020128-neelum-saran-gour-talks-about-her-new-novel-virtual-realities-796199-2002-01-27|title=Neelum Saran Gour talks about her new novel Virtual Realities|access-date=2016-07-16}}</ref> and in 2005 two novels were published, ''Sikandar Chowk Park''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mylibrary.britishcouncil.org/fiction/sikandar-chowk-park|title=Sikandar Chowk Park - Neelum Saran Gour|website=www.mylibrary.britishcouncil.org|access-date=2016-07-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/and-the-holy-gosht/228824|title=...And The Holy Gosht|access-date=2016-07-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/books/story/20051003-book-review-sikandar-chowk-park-by-neelum-saran-gour-786802-2005-10-02|title=Book review: Sikandar Chowk Park by Neelum Saran Gour|access-date=2016-07-16}}</ref> by Penguin, and ''Messres Dickens, Doyle and Wodehouse Pvt. Ltd''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thebookreviewindia.org/articles/archives-3245/2006/january-february/1-2/a-brain-teaser.html|title=A Brain-teaser|website=www.thebookreviewindia.org|access-date=2016-07-16|archive-date=9 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809212255/http://www.thebookreviewindia.org/articles/archives-3245/2006/January-February/1-2/a-brain-teaser.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> by Halcyon Books. Her work was covered by ''Routledge Encyclopedia of Post-colonial Literatures,'' edited by Eugene Benson and L.W. Conolly,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.routledgeonline.com:80/literature/Book.aspx?id=w396|title=Routledge Literature Online|website=www.routledgeonline.com|access-date=2016-07-16}}</ref> ''The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Women’s Writing'', edited by Lorna Sage, Germaine Greer and Elaine Showalter,<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/cambridgeguidedt0000unse|url-access=registration|title=The Cambridge Guide to Women's Writing in English|last1=Sage|first1=Lorna|last2=Greer|first2=Germaine|last3=Showalter|first3=Elaine|date=1999-09-30|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9780521668132|language=en}}</ref> ''Companion to Indian Fiction In English'', edited by Pier Paolo Piciucco,<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=chM76CrCYhoC|title=A Companion to Indian Fiction in English|last=Piciucco|first=Pier Paolo|date=2004-01-01|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist|isbn=9788126903108|language=en}}</ref> and ''Indian English Literature 1980 -2000'' by M.K.Naik and Shyamala Narayan.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Narayan|first=Shyamala A.|date=1994-09-01|title=India|journal=The Journal of Commonwealth Literature|language=en|volume=29|issue=3|pages=53–85|doi=10.1177/002198949402900303|s2cid=220789982 |issn=0021-9894}}</ref> Recent critical writings on her work are included in ''Emerging South Asian Writers'', Edited by Feroza Jussawalla and Deborah Fillerup Weagel<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.peterlang.com/view/9781454192114/03_Title2.xhtml?rskey=0BDzDT&result=1|title=Title : Emerging South Asian Women Writers|date=11 December 2015 |access-date=2016-07-16|isbn=9781454192114}}</ref> and in ''Contemporary Fiction: An Anthology of Female Writers'', edited by Vandana Pathak, Urmila Dabir and Shubha Mishra.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OoicEs0osl8C|title=Contemporary Fiction: An Anthology of Female Writers|last=Dabir|first=Urmila|date=2008-01-01|publisher=Sarup & Sons|isbn=9788176258357|language=en}}</ref>

In 2009, she published the pictorial volume ''Allahabad Where The Rivers Meet'', edited by Gour and published by [[Marg (magazine)|Marg Publications]]. In 2010, Penguin–Yatra published a Hindi translation of Gour's early novel ''Speaking of 62'', titled ''62 Ki Baatein''. 2011 saw the launch of ''Song Without End And Other Stories''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20111211/spectrum/book4.htm|title=The Sunday Tribune - Books|website=www.tribuneindia.com|access-date=2016-07-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/705103/fiction-exploring-conflicting-realities|title=FICTION: Exploring conflicting realities|last=InpaperMagazine|first=From|date=2012-03-24|access-date=2016-07-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/short-with-depth/article2674972.ece|title=Short with depth|date=2011-11-30|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=2016-07-16}}</ref> by Penguin. A work of non-fiction followed in 2015, about the literary history of the Allahabad University, ''Three Rivers And A Tree – The Story Of Allahabad University'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theweek.in/books/three-rivers-and-a-tree-by-neelum-saran-gour.html|title=Campus chronicles|website=[[The Week (Indian magazine)|The Week]]|access-date=2016-07-17|archive-date=9 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709083345/http://www.theweek.in/books/three-rivers-and-a-tree-by-neelum-saran-gour.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://biblio-india.org/archives/15/SN15/tocSN15.asp?mp=SO15|title=Biblio: A Review of Books|website=biblio-india.org|access-date=2016-07-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thestatesman.com/mobi/news/92186-story.html|title=A raconteur from the place of offerings|access-date=2016-07-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/learning-at-the-sangam/295277|title=Learning At The Sangam|access-date=2016-07-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thebookreviewindia.org/articles/archives-4655/2015/september/9/saga-of-a-fading-relic.html|title=Saga of a Fading Relic|website=www.thebookreviewindia.org|access-date=2016-07-16|archive-date=11 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811002112/http://www.thebookreviewindia.org/articles/archives-4655/2015/september/9/saga-of-a-fading-relic.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> published by Rupa Publications. This was followed, in the same year, by ''Allahabad Aria'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/books-reviews/where-different-worlds-meet/183850.html|title=Where different worlds meet|access-date=2016-07-16|archive-date=19 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819213142/http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/books-reviews/where-different-worlds-meet/183850.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> also published by Rupa Publications and ''Invisible Ink'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/526083/transformed-relationships.html|title=Transformed relationships|website=Deccan Herald|access-date=2016-07-16|date=30 January 2016}}</ref> published in late 2015 by [[HarperCollins]]. Her latest novel is ''Requiem In Raga Janki'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/requiem-in-raga-janki-a-fictionalised-biography-of-jankibai-illahabadi/article24828915.ece|title='Requiem in Raga Janki': A fictionalised biography of Jankibai Illahabadi|newspaper=the Hindu|access-date=2018-09-01|date=September 2018|last1=Balantrapu|first1=Mihir}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/weekend/requiem-in-raga-janki-by-neelum-saran-gour/1352262|title=Requiem in Raga Janki by Neelum Saran Gour|website=freepressjournal|access-date=2018-09-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1420123|title=THE SONG OF FIFTY-SIX KNIVES|website=Dawn|access-date=2018-07-15|date=15 July 2018}}</ref> published in June 2018 by [[Penguin/Viking|Penguin Viking]].

Apart from these exclusively authored works, her work has appeared in numerous fiction and non-fiction anthologies like'': Desert in Bloom- Contemporary Indian Women’s Fiction In English'',<ref>{{Cite book|title=Desert in Bloom: Contemporary Indian Women's Fiction In English|last=Bharat|first=Meenakshi|date=2004-01-01|publisher=Pencraft International|isbn=9788185753591|language=en}}</ref> edited by Meenakshi Bharat,( Pencraft International, 2004), ''Growing Up As A Woman Writer, e''dited by Jasbir Jain (Sahitya Akademi and Sage Publications 2007), ''The Fear Factor'',<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hRStCwAAQBAJ|title=Troubled Testimonies: Terrorism and the English novel in India|last=Bharat|first=Meenakshi|date=2015-12-14|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781317333791|language=en}}</ref> Edited by Sharon Rundle and Meenakshi Bharat (Picador, 2009), ''Only Connect'', edited by Sharon Rundle and Meenakshi Bharat (Brass Monkey, Australia and Rupa Publications, India, 2014)), ''Indian English And Vernacular India'', edited by Makarand Paranjape and G.J.V.Prasad (Pearson 2010), ''The Creative Process- Seven Essays'',(The Institute for Research in Interdisciplinary Studies, 2013 )and ''Learning Non-violence'',<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://global.oup.com/academic/product/learning-non-violence-9780199458431?cc=in&lang=en&|title=Learning Non-Violence|isbn=9780199458431|publisher=Oxford University Press|date=9 November 2015}}</ref> edited by Gangeya Mukherji (Oxford University Press, 2016).

Gour's critical writings include ''Raja Rao’s Metaphysical Trilogy'',( Kitab Mahal, 1992) as also her book reviews for ''The Indian Review Of Books'' and for the ''[[The Times Literary Supplement|Times Literary Supplement]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.the-tls.co.uk/?s=neelum+saran+gour|title=You searched for neelum saran gour – TheTLS|website=TheTLS|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-07-16}}</ref>''.'' As a journalist she was a humour columnist for the Allahabad page of ''[[The Hindustan Times|The]]'' [[The Hindustan Times|''Hindustan Times''.]] She has conducted Creative Writing workshops for the [[Sahitya Akademi]] and the [[Central University of Rajasthan]], researched and worked on a [[BBC One|BBC T.V]]. Series ''[[Who Do You Think You Are? (UK TV series)|Who Do You Think You Are?]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00thnbt|title=Rupert Penry-Jones, Series 7, Who Do You Think You Are? - BBC One|website=BBC|access-date=2016-07-17}}</ref> in which [[Rupert Penry-Jones]] searched for his family history, aired internationally on 16 August 2010. Her novel ''Sikandar Chowk Park'' was prescribed for study in the M.A. course of the [[Charles University in Prague|Charles University Prague]]. Her story ''A Lane In Lucknow'' is prescribed for study in the M.A. course of the [[University Grants Commission (India)|U.G.C.]]’s e- Pathshala project.

== Awards ==
*2018 [[The Hindu Literary Prize|The Hindu Prize for Fiction]] for ''Requiem In Raga Janki''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-authors/noted-writer-neelum-saran-gour-bags-the-hindu-fiction-prize/article25986619.ece|title= Noted writer Neelum Saran Gour bags The Hindu fiction prize for 2018|date=2019-01-13|newspaper= The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://scroll.in/latest/909302/writers-neelum-saran-gour-and-manoranjan-byapari-win-the-hindu-prize-2018|title=Writers Neelum Saran Gour and Manoranjan Byapari win The Hindu Prize 2018|website= Scroll|date=13 January 2019 |access-date=2019-01-13}}</ref> The prize was announced by N. Ravi, Publisher and former Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu at the Hindu [[Lit for Life|Lit For Life]] festival held in [[Chennai]], 12–14 January 2019.
*[[Sahitya Akademi Award]] 2023 for her novel ''Requiem in Raga Janki.''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chakrabarty |first=Sreeparna |date=2023-12-20 |title=Sahitya Akademi Awards for 2023 announced |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/sahitya-akademi-awards-for-2023-announced/article67658599.ece |access-date=2023-12-20 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==Works==
* {{Cite book|title="Grey Pigeon" and Other Stories|last=Gour|first=Neelum Saran|date=1988-02-25|publisher=Penguin Books Ltd|isbn=9780140107937|location=New Delhi, India; New York, N.Y.|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|title=Speaking of '62|last=Gour|first=Neelam Saran|date=1995-09-28|publisher=Penguin Books Australia|isbn=9780140245943|location=New Delhi; New York, N.Y., USA|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|title=Winter Companions and Other Stories|last=Gour|first=Neelum Saran|date=1997-02-01|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=9780140249897|edition=2|location=New Delhi; New York, NY|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|asin=B016APQK4I|title=Three Rivers and a Tree|last=Gour|first=Neelum Saran|date=2015-07-01|publisher=Rupa Publications India|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|title=Virtual Realities|last=Gour|first=Neelum Saran|date=2001-12-10|publisher=Penguin India|isbn=9780143028062|location=New Delhi, India; London|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|title=Allahabad: Where the Rivers Meet|date=2009-09-01|publisher=The Marg Foundation|isbn=9788185026947|editor-last=Gour|editor-first=Neelum Saran|language=en}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.neelumsarangour.com/ Neelum Saran Gour's website]
* [http://www.ndtv.com/video/shows/just-books/a-survey-on-latest-books-on-bollywood-266 NDTV T.V Programme, Just Books covering ''Sikandar Chowk Park'']
{{Sahitya Akademi Award for English}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gour, Neelum Saran}}
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Scholars of English literature]]
[[Category:Academic staff of the University of Allahabad]]
[[Category:University of Allahabad alumni]]
[[Category:English-language Indian writers]]
[[Category:Indian women short story writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian novelists]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian novelists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian short story writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian short story writers]]
[[Category:Writers from Prayagraj]]
[[Category:Women writers from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Novelists from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women novelists]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women novelists]]

Neelum Saran Gour - Revision history

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