Aatish Taseer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Aatish Ali Taseer 27 November 1980 London, England |
| Occupation | Writer, journalist |
| Alma mater | Amherst College (B.A., 2001) |
| Spouse |
Ryan Davis (m. 2016) |
| Parents | Salmaan Taseer Tavleen Singh |
| Relatives | M. D. Taseer (paternal grandfather) |
Aatish Ali Taseer (born 27 November 1980) is a British-American writer and journalist.
Taseer was born in London and raised by his mother Tavleen Singh in New Delhi. Taseer had no contact with his father, Salman Taseer, until he was 21. He received his education at Kodaikanal International School and Amherst College, where he earned degrees in French and Political Science. Taseer's early life and estrangement from his father were central themes in his first book, Stranger to History (2009).
Taseer has contributed to Time magazine and other publications, gaining recognition for his pieces on feudal Pakistan, the "Ground Zero Mosque" controversy, and situation in Pakistan following his father's assassination. His article arguing Pakistan has an obsession with India, published in The Wall Street Journal, sparked widespread debate and controversy, leading to a notable exchange between journalists and politicians across India and Pakistan.
Personal aspects of his life include his marriage to lawyer Ryan Davis in New York, and his cultural and religious identity, which he describes as culturally and historically Hindu, worshiping Shiva. In 2019, Taseer's Overseas Citizenship of India was revoked, a move he claims was retaliatory for his critical coverage of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Taseer became a US citizen in 2020.
Taseer's work includes translations of Saadat Hasan Manto's short stories and several novels, with Stranger to History being translated into 14 languages. His literary contributions have earned him a place on the 2010 Costa First Novel Award shortlist for "The Temple-Goers."