Eminent Hindi writer Vinod Kumar Shukla, the first from Chhattisgarh to receive the Jnanpith Award, passed away on 23 December 2025 at the age of 89 in AIIMS Raipur due to multiple organ failure following prolonged breathing difficulties that began in October.
Admitted on 2 December after his condition deteriorated suddenly at home, he breathed his last at 4:58 PM, as confirmed by family members and hospital PRO Laxmikant Choudhary.
Tributes have flooded in from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, fellow writers, and readers across India, mourning the loss of a voice that transformed everyday life into profound literary magic realism. His passing marks the end of a six-decade career blending poetry, novels, and short stories rooted in simplicity and human insight.
Final Days Marked by Health Struggles
Vinod Kumar Shukla’s final months reflected both remarkable recognition and quiet battles with age-related ailments. Family sources revealed breathing issues emerged in October, leading to hospitalisation where his condition stabilised temporarily before worsening.
On 2 December, he was rushed to AIIMS Raipur, where multiple organ infection and failure proved insurmountable despite medical efforts. Survived by his wife, son Shashwat, and daughter, Shukla’s son shared that the family remained by his side until the end.
Fellow litterateur Giriraj Kishore described his departure as a profound void, noting how Shukla’s narratives captured the essence of ordinary existence with extraordinary depth. Hospital authorities confirmed the exact time of passing, underscoring the swift turn in his health after recent honours elevated his profile nationally.
Accolades and Personal Gestures from Leaders
Shukla’s stature drew personal attention from the highest offices in his waning days. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a 1 November visit to Chhattisgarh, made a direct call to enquire about the writer’s wellbeing, a gesture that family members cherished amid his frail state.
Following the news of his death, Modi posted on X platform, stating Shukla would always be remembered for invaluable contributions to Hindi literature, a sentiment echoed widely.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed deep grief, hailing him as a pride of the state and the first Jnanpith recipient from the region. These tributes built on Shukla’s 2025 milestone of receiving the 59th Jnanpith Award, alongside earlier honours like the 1999 Sahitya Akademi Award for his iconic novel Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi.
The novel saw renewed popularity, selling 90,000 copies between April and September 2025 and earning Rs 30 lakh in royalties, proof of his enduring appeal.
A Legacy Forged in Simplicity and Depth
Born on 1 January 1937 in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, Vinod Kumar Shukla built a literary career spanning genres with unassuming power. His works, including novels like Naukar Ki Kameez adapted into a film by Mani Kaul and poetry collections, wove magic realism through lenses of daily struggles, existential musings, and philosophical resonance.
Over decades, he authored pieces that elevated the mundane, earning acclaim for their sparse yet evocative style that influenced generations of Hindi writers and readers. Literary communities across India have organised remembrances, with his mortal remains taken home post-death for family rituals, though last rites details await official announcement.
Shukla’s journey from a small-town upbringing to India’s highest literary honour embodies the quiet revolution of words that bridge personal introspection with universal truths, leaving an indelible mark on contemporary Hindi sahitya.
Roots in Chhattisgarh’s Literary Soil
Shukla’s beginnings in Rajnandgaon shaped his affinity for grounded storytelling. He navigated life as a teacher and later full-time writer, producing over a dozen novels, short story collections, and poetry volumes that reflected rural India’s rhythms alongside urban alienation.
Critics often praised his refusal of ornate language, opting instead for prose that mirrored spoken Hindi with subtle layers of meaning. This approach resonated deeply, as seen in the posthumous surge of interest in his bibliography.
Peers recall anecdotes of his humility, such as overcoming a heart attack by dictating poems to his wife when writing became impossible, a testament to his resilience.
His Chhattisgarh roots made the Jnanpith win a historic moment, spotlighting regional voices in national literature and inspiring budding writers from similar backgrounds to pursue authenticity over embellishment.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Vinod Kumar Shukla’s life and works stand as a beacon of empathy, demonstrating how narratives drawn from simplicity can foster dialogue, kindness, and harmony in divided times.
At The Logical Indian, we honour his legacy by amplifying stories that promote coexistence and positive social change, urging society to embrace the profound lessons hidden in everyday experiences.
His departure invites reflection on nurturing literary talents that build bridges through shared human insights, encouraging readers to engage with literature as a tool for compassion and unity.
