Eminent Hindi writer Vinod Kumar Shukla passed away on Tuesday, December 23, at the age of 89, bringing to an end a literary journey that quietly but profoundly shaped modern Hindi prose.
Shukla breathed his last at 4.58 pm at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur, where he had been undergoing treatment since December 2 after developing breathing-related complications. News of his death sparked widespread grief across literary circles and among readers of Hindi literature.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the celebrated author, remembering his lasting contribution to the literary world. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said Shukla would always be remembered for enriching Hindi literature with his unique voice and offered condolences to his family and admirers. Modi had earlier spoken to Shukla and his family about his health during a visit to Chhattisgarh on November 1.
Widely admired for his gentle, humane and understated style, Shukla’s writing captured the emotional and philosophical layers of everyday life with remarkable simplicity. His notable works include Naukar Ki Kameez, Khilega To Dekhenge, Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi and Ek Chuppi Jagah, which helped redefine contemporary Hindi writing without relying on heavy ornamentation.
In recognition of his lifetime contribution to Hindi literature, Shukla was awarded the 59th Jnanpith Award, becoming the first writer from Chhattisgarh to receive the country’s highest literary honour.
He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.