Interview of Dr. Pradip Kumar Dubey

Dr. Pradip Kumar Dubey

Do You Like Collecting Autographs? Here Are Some Tips and Tricks from an Interview with Dr. Pradip Kumar Dubey who is an eminent Autograph Collector.

For many fans, obtaining signed memorabilia from their favorite icons or role models is a great hobby and it starts numerous conversations amongst family, friends, co-workers, and fellow collectors alike.  The stories one gathers from meeting or writing to his idols are always very memorable—in one way or another—and the sheer thrill of the chase/pursuit intensifies with each signature you acquire. The Autograph Collectors Club of India prides itself on bringing the characters and the fandoms to you.

 

His knowledge about this Hobby is seemingly infinite. He has been an autograph collector for over 26 years. He hails from Tulsipur ( Balrampur) in U.P.. A general physician by profession, Dr. Dubey has in his treasure trove, over 2000 autographs. We chatted up with him recently over phone.

 

Q. Do you remember taking your first autograph?

A. In 1995, while I was still a student, I wrote my first letter to Doctor P. Venugopal who was the Head of Cardiology in AIIMS Delhi. Incidentally he was also the principal surgeon to perform the first ever heart transplant in India. Soon within a few weeks he wrote back to me. So that was my first autograph I obtained, through postal mail and that is how it all started!

Q. When did you start considering autograph collecting as a hobby?

A. When I was studying Medical sciences, I would tell my teachers that I liked creative writing and my Principal helped me in this. Certain friends of my father to give me something to read and write about eminent personalities and that gave me the first impression of who they are, and what better ways are there to express oneself. At first, I didn't have much knowledge about an autograph, there was no Internet connectivity back then, like we have today, so I resorted to whatever means were available to me at that time, which was mainly--- writing letters. There was a better chance to get a reply from politicians and after Dr. P.Venugopal wrote back to me, it gave me more confidence to write more. That is when I considered it as a hobby and started writing to other politicians, eminent personalities and film stars.

Q. When did the idea of collecting autographs in particular strike you?

A. I was a regular reader of the Parag magazine. Every month it used to carry an interview of an eminent personality. I used to buy it to read cartoons, stories and articles but later when I read the interviews I gathered more interest. In Parag once there was an interview of Salim Ali, a bird scientist. The article was an eye opener for me. Then I read other articles. That is when it struck me that I should also start something in my own way, which was autograph collection.

Q. So this magazine called Parag influenced you to start taking autographs right?

A. Yes it did. I wasn't in contact with any autograph collectors before this. Only later on, after the internet came along, I came in contact with Mr. Santosh Lahoti who taught me on how to go about asking for autographs in a proper manner and the process through which it can be done. Before talking with Santoshji I didn't have much success and that is why I would like to credit him for showing me the way.

Q. How did you get in contact with him?

A. I found out information on the web about his book 'Autograph Please' from which I was able to get hold of a phone number through which I contacted him. We talked on the phone about my hobby and his book, which I later ordered through post.

Q. What are your other hobbies apart from collecting autographs?

A. I am very fond of travelling and as a matter of fact I have travelled to 10 countries till date. It becomes quite obvious that I have accumulated different types of currencies be it coins or notes. I would also used to write letters to my PEN PALS, which were sent to foreign countries. I used to archive all letters that came to me as a reply. I added these letters to my collection. Currently I am not able to write as much I would like to, because being a doctor I have to work regularly at the clinic and have a busy schedule.

Q. Which part of India do you hail from?

A. I am from a very small place between Lucknow and Gorakhpur, called Tulsipur, Balarampur. Here there is no chance of any celebrity visits, which is why I resort to writing letters.

Q. Did you ever meet a celebrity while travelling to different places?

A. Yes, during my Medical entrance exams I had to go to Lucknow and that is where I met some celebrities like the famous singer Alisha Chinnoy and some famous Table Tennis Players and novelists. But post my exams the physical collection of autographs was not possible.

Q. What is the difference between a signature and an autograph?

A. A signature is the common nomenclature we use for all. There is nothing special about it. We use signatures as an instrument of consent. But autographs are very special. We only ask for autographs from achievers and from famous people. Let me share a small story. During my B.Sc. classes, I once met Sri. Mulayam Singh Yadav. I gave him my diary and requested him for an autograph. He said –I would not just give you an autograph. I would like to write something as well. Please tell me your name. He later wrote—To Pardip--with love and affection.. and then gave his autograph.

Q. Every autograph you collect is actually an achievement. Can you share with us any such special achievements? Say for example you tried to get a particular autograph for a long time and then finally one fine day you managed to get the same.

A. Yes. Let me tell you about two such incidents. Dr. James Watson is still alive. He is 93. He is an American geneticist and biophysicist who played a crucial role in the discovery of the molecular structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the substance that is the basis of heredity. I wrote to him and sent him his photograph along with a reply post envelope. A few months later I got the reply envelope from him and his duly autographed photo was nicely wrapped with the letterhead of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories, America. This is where he did all his genetic research. I couldn’t believe my eyes! 

 

Now let me share the Sally Ride story. Sally became the first American woman to go into space when she flew on the space shuttle Challenger on June 18, 1983. She made two shuttle flights, and later became a champion for science education and a role model for generations. I wrote to her and she obliged with her autograph too. Sadly, she is no more.

 

Q. An autograph is a reflection of an individual’s personality. Do you agree?

A. I will agree to an extent. But it is not true in all cases. Say for example if you take a look at A.R. Rahman’s signature you might feel for a moment that it’s not an autograph-- but a kid/s scribble. On the contrary, when you see the autograph of Pundit Hariprasad Chaurasia you can clearly see reflections of his personality, since his autograph is styled like a flute.  Similarly, Pandit Bishwa Mohan Bhatt and Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma have very artistic autographs. I met Mr. Vishwanath Pratap Singh personally and took his autograph. He had a very insignificant sign off. The autograph was small and hardly visible. Therefore an autograph is not always a reflection.. but yes at times---s it is.

 

Q. Do you have a list of autographs that you wish to collect in the near future?

A. Yes. I actually wanted to collect the autographs of all the past Presidents of India. I have in my possession an autographed pic of Mr. Pranab Mukherjee. This is one of my most treasured possessions.

 

Q. How many Autographs have you collected till date? Name some of the most treasured autographs you have in your possession.

 

A. It is actually a little more than 2000 autographs. I wrote to Nelson Mandela. He replied. I have in my possession Bill Clinton’s autographed letter too. I also wrote to Micheal Schumacher the famous Formula One racing car driver. I waited for six months for his reply. No luck at all. Then I read in the dailies that he had a near fatal skiing accident in the Swiss Alps. So I gave up hope. Suddenly one fine morning my Postman delivered an envelope. There was a sticker on the envelope that said Michael signed this letter much before his accident. I was sad but thrilled at the same time. I also wrote to Shri Narendra Modi when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. He replied promptly.  

 

Q. Do you archive your collection?

A. Yes. I store all by Autographs in various albums. Archiving is actually an art. I am asking a lot of people how to file and maintain such priceless material.

 

Q.  In the age of Selfies we have forgotten what is an autograph. What is your take on this?

A.  A Selfie can never replace an autograph. I feel we can’t equate legacy with an ordinary camera click. Let us invite more people to become members. Let us make this Community grow. There should be press articles, Seminars, Webinars and regular Group meetings. Let us all come together and make a positive contribution. We must put social Media to good use. Mr. Santosh Lahoti has shown us the way. People are coming together. I think people should write more letters. Now google search and our group can always help in finding addresses. Let’s do it.