SIDDIQ ALAM was born in 1952 in Purulia, a small town in India. Since 1983 he has lived in Calcutta, the city which is the background for his first novel Charnock ki Kashti. He holds an M.A. in English and also a degree in law. Currently he is Senior Joint Commissioner in the Directorate of Commercial Taxes, Government of India. Two collections of his short stories, Akhri Cha'on and Lamp Jalanevale, have appeared so far. He has also published poems, plays, and critical essays in prominent literary magazines.