Tavleen Singh

Tavleen Singh is an Indian journalist, columnist and political reporter who has covered major political and social developments in India since the 1970s. She writes regular columns for The Indian Express and has authored several books on Indian politics and society. Singh gained prominence for her on-the-ground reporting of the Punjab insurgency in the 1980s and her coverage of pivotal moments like the Operation Blue Star military action at the Golden Temple. Her work has focused extensively on investigating corruption, analyzing governance failures, and documenting the lives of India's poor. Her notable books include "Durbar" (2012), which provides an insider's account of Delhi's political elite, and "India's Broken Tryst" (2016), examining India's post-independence trajectory. Singh's memoir "Political and Incorrect" (2007) details her experiences covering major political events across four decades. Her writing style combines personal observations with political analysis, and she is known for taking strong critical positions on government policies and social issues regardless of which party is in power. Singh was educated at Welham Girls' School in Dehradun and has worked for multiple Indian and international publications throughout her career.

Readers value Singh's insider perspective and direct reporting style on Indian politics, particularly appreciating her firsthand accounts of major historical events. Her columns and books receive attention for providing behind-the-scenes details of political figures and power dynamics. What readers liked: - Detailed personal anecdotes about political figures - Clear explanations of complex political situations - Unfiltered criticism of both Congress and BJP governments - Coverage of the Punjab insurgency and Operation Blue Star What readers disliked: - Perceived bias in some political commentary - Repetitive points across multiple books - Focus on elite political circles rather than broader social issues - Writing style sometimes viewed as informal Ratings: - Durbar: 3.8/5 on Goodreads (500+ ratings) - India's Broken Tryst: 3.9/5 on Goodreads (300+ ratings) - Political and Incorrect: 3.7/5 on Amazon India (100+ ratings) Common reader comment: "Provides unique insights into Indian politics but occasionally lets personal views overshadow objective reporting."

Durbar (2012) A political memoir covering Singh's experiences as a journalist during the 1970s and 1980s, including her observations of Indira Gandhi's emergency rule and its aftermath.

Political and Incorrect (2007) A collection of columns examining Indian politics and society, focusing on governance issues and political developments in the early 2000s.

Kashmir: A Tragedy of Errors (1995) An analysis of the Kashmir conflict based on Singh's reporting from the region, examining historical events and political decisions that shaped the crisis.

Lollipop Street: Why India Will Survive Her Politicians (1999) A critical examination of Indian democracy and political leadership through stories gathered during Singh's travels across India.

India's Broken Tryst (2016) An examination of India's journey since independence, focusing on governance failures and unfulfilled promises of development.

Modi's India: Hindu Nationalism and the Rise of Ethnic Democracy (2020) A journalistic account of India under Narendra Modi's leadership, analyzing changes in politics and society during his tenure.

Kuldip Nayar wrote about Indian politics and society during key periods like the Emergency, with insider perspectives as a journalist. His work examines power structures and governance issues in India through first-hand reporting and analysis.

Mark Tully reported on India for BBC for several decades, covering major historical events and social changes. His books combine political commentary with observations about India's culture and transformations.

Khushwant Singh documented contemporary Indian society and politics through columns and books spanning multiple decades. His writing style mixes political criticism with cultural insights about India's evolution.

Arundhati Roy writes political essays and commentary focusing on social justice, inequality, and power dynamics in India. Her non-fiction work analyzes Indian politics and society through a critical lens similar to Singh's approach.

Ramachandra Guha produces historical accounts and political analysis of modern India based on research and documentation. His work examines Indian democracy, institutions, and social movements with emphasis on factual reporting.