A Fire on Mount Everest (Paperback)

Despite over 1500 ascents, the mystique of the Everest remains. An obsession for some, a business for the others, an inspiration for many, a siren song for most and for a few, simply a curse. One is never indifferent to Everest. It makes you or breaks you.

India’s 1984 Expedition to Mount Everest, organized by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), succeeded in placing Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman and the fifth in the world, and four others, on the summit. It was a spectacular achievement etched in history, but one which does not tell the behind-the-scenes stories of this expedition.

Noted film-maker and television presenter Siddharth Kak and his crew of four cameramen followed this expedition from day one and recorded each moment of loss and triumph, instances of glory and distress. They captured struggles and jealousies that didn’t show up on camera. And you will learn much about this mountain―of how it deigns who will climb it, the challenges it will throw at you, the smallness you will feel confronted by its enormousness. It is also a mountain that is environmentally extremely stressed today.
A Fire on Mount Everest springs from an understanding of an incredible moment etched in the memory of the author―a moment very few live to tell about.

Siddharth Kak is a documentary maker, television producer and presenter, who is best known as the producer and presenter of Surabhi (1993–2001). His television company, Cinema Vision India, has won several major television awards and three national awards, and has produced more than 100 documentaries and several long running television series for leading TV channels in India.


A well-known foodie, he has written food columns for many national newspapers and has also produced and directed two very successful food shows, The Good Food Guide and the Star Sunday Lunch. Both these programmes were telecast on Star Television. He has also published a book of poetry, Looking in Looking out, and compiled a quiz book on India’s heritage, Surabhi ke Sau Sawaal.