Eminent Hindi litterateur and Chhattisgarh-based writer Vinod Kumar Shukla passed away on Tuesday evening at a government hospital in Raipur after prolonged age-related health complications, family members confirmed. He was 89 years old and had been battling declining health for several weeks.
Shukla had been admitted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences Raipur on December 2 after developing serious breathing difficulties. Despite continuous medical care, his condition worsened, and he breathed his last at 4.48 pm on Tuesday, his son Shashwat Shukla told news agency PTI.
He is survived by his wife, his son Shashwat, and a daughter. Family members said that his mortal remains would be taken to his residence in Raipur, after which details regarding his final rites would be shared.
According to his son, Shukla’s health issues had first intensified in October, when he was admitted to a private hospital in Raipur due to respiratory problems. After showing signs of recovery, he was discharged and continued treatment at home. However, on December 2, his condition deteriorated suddenly, prompting his immediate transfer to AIIMS Raipur for advanced treatment.
Vinod Kumar Shukla was widely regarded as one of the most original and understated voices in modern Hindi literature. His body of work included celebrated novels such as Naukar Ki Kameez, Khilega To Dekhenge, Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi, and Ek Chuppi Jagah, which earned him critical acclaim for their simplicity, emotional depth, and quiet philosophical insight.
In recognition of his extraordinary contribution to Hindi literature and his distinctive creative expression, Shukla was conferred the Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary honour. He received the 59th edition of the award on November 21 this year at a ceremony held at his residence in Raipur, becoming the first writer from Chhattisgarh to be honoured with the prestigious distinction.
During his visit to Chhattisgarh on November 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken with Shukla’s family members and enquired about the veteran writer’s health, acknowledging his immense contribution to Indian literature.
Shukla’s literary legacy also extended to cinema, with his novel Naukar Ki Kameez being adapted into a film of the same name by renowned filmmaker Mani Kaul, further cementing his influence across artistic disciplines.
