Dear All
As a writer myself who has at times been influenced by the wonderful work of Rudyard Kipling, I believe Mr Bhusan raises an important point.
I say this because I personally am getting older, and I find that people in this more modern age will not read Kipling or will not read him in the depth that is required to really understand his writing. I regard him as a reporter and critic of his time, while many modern readers regard him as celebratory of his time and denigrate him because of that.
There is a risk that his work will die in the future unless other writers can draw on his work and promote it in their own way. I personally think there is much to be said for people wishing to use the inspiration of his work, acknowledge that inspiration, and encourage people to read and understand the original writer.
regards
Geoffrey Maloney
Brisbane, Australia
Begin forwarded message:
Subject: Is there any copyright on Kipling's books such as Kim or Jungle Books?
Date: 15 May 2018 at 3:07:37 pm AEST
Dear Friends, all,
I was very tempted with the idea of taking the lesser-known and almost unseen characters in Kipling's books based in India, and enlarging upon them with short stories and developing their own identities. One particular character I would love to develop a third-person short story or a series would be the mouse coloured Brahmin Bull in Motee Bazaar of Lahore who moves about with impunity in the very early pages of 'Kim', and such others.
There are many editions of Kim and Jungle Books and other titles being sold in India and elsewhere, and I wondered if any publisher had acquired copyright over Kipling's works that would prevent such a publication of short stories.
I would also love suggestions or thoughts about some of the fleeting characters in Kipling's books and would welcome your help and guidance.
Regards and best wishes
Bharat Bhushan
+91-9823338227
Pune, India