Anil Ramdas (Paramaribo, 16 February 1958 – Loenen aan de Vecht, 16 February 2012) was a Dutch-Surinamese columnist, correspondent, essayist, journalist, and TV and radio host. He was generally considered the V.S. Naipaul specialist of The Netherlands. His work has been extensively studied by the author Karin Amatmoekrim. In 1997 he was awarded the E. du Perron prize for all of his works.

Works

Fiction

Anil Ramdas published his autobiographical novel Badal in February 2011. In the article "A Matter of Identity: Anil Ramdas and His Autobiographical Novel Badal", Kees Snoek writes : "The novel Badal explores the evolution of the main character against the background of the confrontation between western and non-western civilisation. One of the examples Badal uses to make his point is Christopher Columbus: when during his journey into the unknown the supplies aboard his ship diminish, he has to make a decision: to turn back or to continue with his exploration. He decides to go on. It is the point of no return."

Death

Ramdas committed suicide on 16 February 2012. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte expressed his regret about Ramdas' death in his weekly press conference.