Pakistan's literary icon Bapsi Sidhwa passes away at 86

Renowned Pakistani author Bapsi Sidhwa passed away on Wednesday, December 25, in Houston, Texas. Acclaimed for her compelling exploration of Pakistan's rich history and vibrant culture, her remarkable contributions to literature will leave an enduring legacy that will resonate with generations to come.

Sidhwa, hailing from a Gujarati Parsi family, was born in Karachi in 1938, she was renowned for her works in the English language, and she also gained prominence for her collaboration with Deepa Mehta in her novels, ‘Earth’ and ‘Water’.

The literary figure spent most of her young life in Lahore and witnessed the horrific era of partition. Sidhwa's writings explore the complexities of cultural identity and humanity. She often drew upon her personal experiences for her writing, including the partition of India.

For her reamrkable contributions to literature, she was honored with several awards, including the Sitara-e-Imtiaz—the highest civilian award for art in Pakistan.

‘The Crow Eater’, ‘Cracking India’, ‘Water: A Novel’, ‘An American Brat’, and ‘The Bride’ were some of her famous writings. 

In addition to her literary accomplishments, Sidhwa also played an active role in academic circles, having taught at various universities in the United States.