Salman Rushdie is a renowned British-Indian novelist, best known for his rich prose, magical realism, and exploration of cultural and political themes. Born on June 19, 1947, in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, he studied at King’s College, Cambridge, and began his literary career with the novel Grimus (1975), though it was Midnight’s Children (1981) that established his reputation. This Booker Prize-winning novel narrates the story of Saleem Sinai, born at the moment of India’s independence, blending historical fiction with magical realism to reflect the tumultuous birth of a nation.
Rushdie’s fourth novel, The Satanic Verses (1988), sparked global controversy for its portrayal of Islamic themes, leading to a fatwa (religious edict) issued by Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini calling for his assassination. This led to years of living under police protection, making Rushdie a symbol of the struggle for free speech.
Despite this, Rushdie continued to write prolifically, producing works such as The Moor’s Last Sigh (1995), The Ground Beneath Her Feet (1999), and Shalimar the Clown (2005), each marked by intricate storytelling and political commentary. His 2012 memoir Joseph Anton recounts his life in hiding. In 2022, he was attacked in New York, resulting in severe injuries, yet he survived and returned to public life.
Rushdie’s writing bridges East and West, examining identity, exile, religion, and modernity. He remains one of the most influential voices in contemporary literature, celebrated for his narrative innovation and unwavering commitment to artistic freedom.
