Arvind Savur is one of India's most accomplished billiards and snooker players, renowned for his achievements as a champion, coach, and mentor. Known internationally as "Tornado Fats" for his speed around the table, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the sport in India.

While his accomplishments are remarkable, those who know him remember him for the person he is - warm, welcoming, and known for his sense of humour. Arvind Savur has always inspired those around him with his resilience. Despite the many challenges he faced, he remained focused on moving forward, never allowing setbacks to define him.

A hands-on teacher, he believed in demonstrating every shot himself and patiently guiding his students through the finer details of the game. His home in Malleswaram became a welcoming space where aspiring billiards and snooker players could learn, practise, and grow under his mentorship.

As his daughter, Lina Savur, reflects, Arvind Savur's life has always been guided by determination, discipline, and the belief that "the game is never over until the last ball." Through her memories, discover the champion, teacher, and person behind one of India's most respected names in Indian billiards and snooker.

In Conversation with Lina Savur (Arvind Savur’s daughter)

Q: Snooker and billiards are not very common sports. How did your father first get into the game?

From what I know, my father was always more interested in sports than academics. He initially played table tennis, but because of his size, he found it difficult to keep retrieving the ball from under the table. That's when he switched to billiards and snooker.

He often says that if someone is good at one ball game, they usually have the ability to excel at another. He first began playing at a club on Brigade Road. Later, when the Karnataka State Billiards Association (KSBA) was established, he continued practising there. By the age of seventeen, he had become a national champion. It was at that point that he decided to leave college and dedicate himself entirely to billiards and snooker.

Q: How did his parents react when he decided to leave college and pursue sport full-time?

My grandfather was initially very upset. Everyone in our family valued education, so for someone to leave college and take a completely different path was difficult for them to accept.

From what I know, my father moved out of the family home and built his career independently. After winning his first national championship and establishing himself in the sport, my grandfather accepted his decision and became very proud of what he had achieved.

Looking back, I don't think my father made the wrong choice. It was his calling, and he made the most of it.

Q: What was his practice routine like? Did you ever observe it as a child?

As a child, I didn't witness the intense practice that made him famous because much of it happened before I was born. However, I've heard many stories from him and read numerous newspaper articles about that period.

He was known as one of the fastest players in the world. Around the same time, there was another fast player, Alex Higgins, who was nicknamed "Hurricane Higgins." Because of my father's speed around the table, the British press gave him the nickname "Tornado." Owing to his build, he later became widely known as "Tornado Fats."

He was completely devoted to the game. Even while I was growing up, there were periods when he would be away from home for days, especially when coaching the Singapore national team. I imagine he must have practised for fourteen or fifteen hours a day. His achievements reflect that extraordinary commitment.

Q: How does he feel about being called "Tornado Fats"?

He absolutely loves it. In fact, his email address even includes "Tornado Fats."

Being given that nickname by the British press was a huge honour, especially because he was one of the youngest players to receive such recognition. They also referred to him as the "Father of Modern Indian Snooker."

What sets him apart is not just his talent but his understanding of the game. Every top player has talent, but my father possesses an extraordinary knowledge of billiards and snooker. Although I don't come from a sporting background myself, I've always admired his journey and everything he has accomplished.

Q: Did he have any pre-match rituals or routines?

I wouldn't necessarily call them rituals, but he was very particular about certain things before an important match.

For example, he never liked anyone calling out to him from behind as he was leaving for a tournament. On match days, he would only accept money or his lighter from my mother. He also preferred to keep to himself and avoided unnecessary conversations with the rest of the family.

I remember my mother telling me to give him some space on those days because he was mentally preparing for the match. Those are the habits I remember from my childhood.

Q: Your father is widely regarded as an exceptional coach. What made him such an effective teacher?

We had a billiards table at home, and many of today's leading players trained there under my father. Because of that, I had the opportunity to watch him coach from close quarters.

Being a great player and being a great coach are two very different things. My father never limited himself to giving verbal instructions. He demonstrated every shot himself, explained the technique behind it, and helped players understand why a particular shot worked.

What amazed me most was his ability to visualise the game several shots in advance. He could predict exactly where the cue ball would finish and plan four or five shots ahead. Watching him coach was almost like watching a game of chess. That ability to think strategically and communicate his knowledge so clearly is one of the reasons he became such a respected coach.

Q: How did your father prepare mentally for tournaments, and how did he handle victories and defeats?

My father was extremely focused before every tournament. Before leaving for a match, he would ask my mother only two things—the table number and the match time. He never wanted to know who his opponent was.

His belief was simple: it didn't matter who he was playing against. His responsibility was to win the match in front of him. Rather than thinking about the tournament as a whole, he concentrated on one match at a time. That mindset helped him stay calm and focused throughout his career.

He also handled defeats remarkably well because he believed there was always something to learn from them. That said, during the peak of his career, there were very few major tournaments that he lost. His confidence came from preparation rather than worrying about who stood across the table.

Q: Apart from billiards and snooker, what other interests did he have?

At home, we often played rummy together as a family, and he was exceptionally quick with cards. He also had a keen interest in horse racing and even owned a few horses at the Turf Club. Those were his two biggest interests outside billiards and snooker.

Q: Did you grow up in Malleswaram? What has that connection meant to you?

Yes. I've spent all forty-one years of my life here in our ancestral home. In fact, this year marks one hundred years since my great-grandfather purchased this property in 1926.

Growing up in the same home and neighbourhood has given me a strong sense of belonging. It's a wonderful feeling to know that our family has been connected to Malleswaram for an entire century.

Q: Was there a particular place that was especially important to your father?

Without a doubt, it was the Karnataka State Billiards Association (KSBA). That's where he spent most of his time practising, competing, mentoring young players and later serving as President.

From what I know, he has been one of the strongest pillars of the association and has contributed immensely to the growth of billiards and snooker in Karnataka.

Outside the sport, he loved spending time with my mother. I wouldn't necessarily describe him as someone who spent all his time with the entire family, but he was deeply devoted to her. They shared a wonderful relationship, and she was probably the only person who could persuade him to change his mind about.

Q: If you had to describe your father in three words, what would they be?

The first word would be honest—brutally honest. He always spoke his mind, called a spade a spade, and never allowed himself to be influenced by pressure or public opinion.

The second would be self-made. He built his career entirely through his own determination. From travelling by local trains and buses while pursuing the sport to becoming one of India's finest billiards players, every achievement was earned through hard work.

The third would be passionate. Whatever he believed in, he committed himself wholeheartedly. Whether it was billiards, coaching, or his relationship with my mother, he gave everything his complete dedication.

Q: Looking back, what do you think defined your father's approach to life?

I think it was his complete dedication to whatever he chose to do.

Whether it was playing billiards, coaching young players, spending time with friends, or simply being with my mother, he gave everything his full attention. Once he committed himself to something, he never did it halfway.

Those qualities—determination, discipline and passion—are what I admire most about him.

Q: Is there an anecdote or lesson from your father that you think people should remember?

During the peak of his career, if there was a particular shot he couldn't execute perfectly, he would practise it over and over again until he mastered it. Giving up was never an option for him.

There's one quote he often says that has always stayed with me:

"The game is never over until the last ball."

I think that quote reflects not only the way he approached billiards but also the way he approaches life. It has taught me the importance of perseverance, patience, and never giving up until the very end.