Eminent Hindi author Vinod Kumar Shukla, the recipient of the prestigious Jnanpith Award, passed away on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at the age of 88. He died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Raipur at 4:58 PM. Shukla had been admitted to the hospital on December 2nd due to breathing difficulties and was being treated for complications arising from interstitial lung disease and severe pneumonia, exacerbated by pre-existing diabetes and blood pressure issues. His death was attributed to multiple organ infection and organ failure.
Born on January 1, 1937, in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, Vinod Kumar Shukla was a celebrated figure in modern Hindi literature. He was known for his unique writing style that often incorporated elements of magic realism, portraying the nuances of common life in simple yet evocative language.
Shukla's literary journey spanned over five decades, beginning with his first collection of poems, "Lagbhag Jai Hind," published in 1971. His notable works include the novels "Naukar ki Kameez" (The Servant's Shirt), which was adapted into a film by Mani Kaul, "Deewar Mein Ek Khirkee Rahati Thi" (A Window Lived in a Wall), which won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1999, and "Khilega To Dekhenge". "Deewar Mein Ek Khirkee Rahati Thi" was also adapted into a stage play by Mohan Maharishi.
Throughout his career, Shukla received several prestigious awards, solidifying his place as a significant contributor to Hindi literature. In 1999, he was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel "Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi". In 2023, he became the first Indian author to receive the PEN/Nabokov Award for Achievement in International Literature. Most recently, in 2024, he was honored with the Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary honor, becoming the first writer from Chhattisgarh to receive the award. The Jnanpith committee lauded his "simplicity, sensitivity and unique writing style".
Vinod Kumar Shukla worked as an associate professor of agricultural extension at Indira Gandhi Agricultural University in Raipur before retiring in 1996. He also served as a guest littérateur at the Nirala Srijanpeeth in Agra from 1994 to 1996.
Shukla's writing often explored themes of love, longing, loss, and the intricacies of human relationships, deeply rooted in the everyday lives of people in small towns and villages. His works have been widely translated into English, gaining him international recognition.
Laxmikant Choudhary, the PRO of AIIMS Raipur, confirmed that Shukla had been admitted to the hospital on December 2nd and that his death was due to multiple organ infection and organ failure. His son, Shashwat Shukla, mentioned that his father had experienced breathing problems in October and had been admitted to a private hospital before being moved to AIIMS Raipur.
Shukla is survived by his wife, son Shashwat, and a daughter. His passing marks the end of an era for Hindi literature, leaving behind a legacy of profound and insightful storytelling.
