People's Democracy

BHISHAM SAHNI

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) issued the following statement on July 12, 2003.

THE Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) expresses its deep sorrow at the passing away of Bhisham Sahni, one of the renowned figures of contemporary Hindi literature.

Bhisham Sahni belonged to a generation of Hindi writers that was moulded by the freedom struggle and continued the fight for their dream of equality in independent India also. With this spirit, he remained active till the end.  From the freedom movement and the progressive cultural movement, he graduated to adopting a communist outlook. 

He was the author of well-known novels such as Tamas. In his last years, he was seriously concerned about the communal danger and was active in the campaign against communalism.

The Polit Bureau conveys its heartfelt condolences to  his daughter and other family members.

The All India Agricultural Workers Union (AIAWU) and some other organisations have also mourned the death Bhisham Sahni, remembering him as a life-long friend of and fighter for the rights of the oppressed and exploited. His presence was deeply needed at a time when communal forces and imperialism are once more spreading their tentacles over South Asia, the AIAWU said.

The CPI(M) Polit Bureau member, Prakash Karat, Central Committee members and AIDWA leaders, Brinda Karat and Subhashini Ali, along with hundreds of writers, artists and well wishers participated in the funeral ceremony of Bhisham Sahni held in New Delhi.

At a remembrance meeting jointly organised by SAHMAT and Progressive Writers Association on July 16, the speakers recalled the significant contribution of Bhisham Sahni to literary and cultural fields. Held at the Constitution Club in New Delhi, this meeting was attended in large numbers by cultural activists, artists, writers and others. Two significant stories of Bhisham Sahni were read out by Dr Brajesh (Jana Natya Manch) and Maya Rao. A documentary made by the Sahitya Akademi on Bhisham Sahni was exhibited on this occasion. Among those who spoke were Rajendra Yadav and Kamleshwar, both contemporaries of Bhisham Sahni. The meeting, which was chaired by  Kapila Vatsayana, was also attended by the CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury.

Earlier Sahmat issued the following statement condoling the demise of Bhisham Sahni:

We are deeply grieved at the passing away of Bhisham Sahni, on July 11, 2003, one of the best known Hindi writers of our times. He was 87. Bhishamji will always be remembered in the literary world and among cultural activists for his abiding commitment to the values of peace, justice and secularism, and for his untiring efforts in forging solidarity amongst Afro-Asian writers.

For all of us at Sahmat, Bhishamji was a very special and inspiring presence. He had been in the forefront of the spontaneous protest that followed Safdar Hashmi’s brutal murder in 1989, and was founder chairman of the Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust. Sahmat activities, always enlivened by his enthusiastic participation and creative contribution, bore the stamp of his wise counsel till the very end.

Bhishamji’s novel on partition, “Tamas” (The Darkness) was to become the most powerful and celebrated portrayal of the horrible tragedy of Partition. He was given the Sahitya Academy award for “Tamas” in 1976 and later on went to become “Mahatter Sadasya” (Fellow) of the Academy. He was also honoured by Soviet Land Nehru Award, the Lotus Award of the Afro-Asian Writers Conference and Padma Bhushan. Bhishamji was the general secretary of the Progressive Writers’ Association for a long period.

“Mayyadas ki Manrdi”, “Kunto” and “Neelu, Neelima,Neelofer” are his other major novels. He also published nine short story collections. In realistic stream of contemporary Hindi, his was one of the most important voices.

Introduced to stage through IPTA, he not only wrote six significant Hindi plays including such renowned plays as “Hanoosh” and “Kabira Khada Baazar Main”, he also went to act on stage and later even in a few chosen films and serials. He also penned (in English) biography of his elder brother, renowned actor Balraj Sahani, “Balraj My Brother”.

He will be deeply missed by the Sahmat fraternity all over the country. To Kalpana, Varun, Romi and Rohini and other members of the family we send our heartfelt condolences.