Hindi Literature Loses a Legend: Vinod Kumar Shukla (1937-2025)
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{ "title": "Hindi Literature Loses a Legend: Vinod Kumar Shukla (1937-2025)", "article": "Renowned Hindi writer Vinod Kumar Shukla, a master of minimalist prose and a Jnanpith laureate, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 89 due to age-related ailments in Raipur. Shukla's work, which spanned stories, novels, poems, and children's stories, was celebrated for its simplicity, subtlety, and emotional depth. He was a towering figure in Hindi literature, known for his quiet, humane, and profoundly original voice. Shukla's writing often focused on ordinary lives, transforming everyday moments into enduring literary experiences. His characters were never in a hurry, refused to make noise, and promised radical change. It was difficult to separate his poetry from his magical prose, which was full of living symbols and the realities of everyday lives. The writer's legacy extended beyond literature to cinema. His novel Naukar Ki Kameez was adapted into a film by Mani Kaul, and he was the protagonist of a film, Chaar Phool Hai Aur Duniya Hai, on his life by Achal Mishra in 2024. Shukla was awarded the 59th Jnanpith Award in 2023, India's highest literary honour, and the Sahitya Akademi award in 1999. He was also the first writer from Chhattisgarh to receive the prestigious Jnanpith Award. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Shukla, saying, "For his invaluable contribution to the world of Hindi literature, he will always be remembered." Shukla's passing is a setback for the Hindi literature fraternity, leaving a void that will be difficult to fill. His mortal remains will be taken to his residence in Raipur, where details of the last rites will be announced shortly. He is survived by his wife, son, and a daughter."
