Dom Moraes

Dominic Francis Moraes (19 July 1938 – 2 June 2004) was an Indian writer and poet who published nearly 30 books in English. He is widely seen as a foundational figure in Indian English literature. His poems are a meaningful and substantial contribution to Indian and World literature.

Early life

Dom Moraes was born in Bombay (now Mumbai) to Beryl and Frank Moraes, former editor of ''The Times of India'' and later ''The Indian Express''. He had a tormented relationship with his mother Beryl, who had been confined to a mental asylum since his childhood. His aunt was the historian Teresa Albuquerque. He attended the city's St. Mary's School, and then left for England to enrol at Jesus College, Oxford.

Moraes spent eight years in Britain (in London and Oxford), New York City, Hong Kong, Delhi and Bombay (now Mumbai).

Career

David Archer published Moraes' first collection of poems, ''A Beginning'', in 1957. When he was 19, still an undergraduate, he became the first Indian to win the Hawthornden Prize and was presented with £100 and a silver medal by Lord David Cecil at the Arts Council of Britain on 10 July 1958.

He edited magazines in London, Hong Kong and New York. He became the editor of ''The Asia Magazine'' in 1971. He scripted and partially directed over 20 television documentaries for the BBC
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