Vinod Kumar Shukla, Chhattisgarh's first Jnanpith Award recipient, passed away. (Photo: X/@airnewsalerts)
Famous Hindi writer and the first Jnanpith Award recipient from the state of Chhattisgarh, Vinod Kumar Shukla, died aged 89 due to illness related to aging. Shukla died on Tuesday at 4:48 PM at AIIMS Raipur, which had admitted him since December 2 due to problems with breathing.
His son, Shashwat Shukla, has confirmed the news of his passing and added that his wife, son, and daughter survive him. The last rites will be announced by them soon.
Vinod Kumar Shukla was born in Rajnandgaon in the state of Chhattisgarh, which was a part of Madhya Pradesh, on January 1, 1937. He has an M.Sc. in Agriculture from Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur, and was a lecturer in Agriculture College, Raipur.
The literary temperament of this poet was developed through interaction with leading poets and writers like Muktibodh, Padumlal Punnalal Bakshi, and Baldeo Prasad Mishra.
His writing style was acclaimed as being amongst the most distinctive voices within the realm of modern Hindi literature; his works include novels such as ‘Naukar Ki Kameez,’ which was adapted into a film by director Mani Kaul; ‘Deewar Mei Ek Khidki Rehti Thi,’ which received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1999 and was later translated into English under the title ‘A Window Lived in a Wall;’ and ‘Khilega To Dekhenge and Ek Chuppi Jagah.’
Shukla was celebrated as one of the most distinctive voices in modern Hindi literature, known for his unique writing style that often borders on magic realism. His notable works include novels like Naukar Ki Kameez, which was adapted into a film by filmmaker Mani Kaul, Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi, which won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1999 and was translated into English as A Window Lived in a Wall, as well as Khilega To Dekhenge and Ek Chuppi Jagah.
In addition to novels, he authored several acclaimed poetry collections, including Lagbhag Jai Hind, Vah Aadmi Chala Gaya, and Sab Kuch Hona Bacha Rahega. He also contributed to children’s literature and served as a guest littérateur at Nirala Srijanpeeth in Agra.
Shukla had also been undergoing home treatment for a period following a hospitalization in October for some difficulty breathing issues. Nonetheless, his health suddenly deteriorated on December 2 to the extent that he was hospitalized at AIIMS Raipur, where he died.
Vinod Kumar Shukla’s literary contributions have left an incomparable mark on Hindi literature, and his ability to mix simplicity and poetry is matched only by the insights of a humanist. His poems and novels continue to fascinate both readers and writers, including those who endeavour to capture the goals of his literary creations.
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Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience covering Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes that every voice matters, and journalism has a vital role to play in amplifying those voices. Sofia is committed to creating impact and shedding light on stories that truly matter. Beyond her work in the newsroom, she is also a music enthusiast who enjoys singing.
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