KRISHNA SOBTI (1925–2019)
Krishna Sobti was a fearless and revolutionary voice in Hindi literature, addressing themes such as Partition, women's identity, and societal oppression with unmatched intensity. She authored eight novels, two novellas, a collection of short stories, and three volumes of literary profiles (the last published under the pseudonym Hashmat). Her reflection on writing encapsulated her deep philosophical approach:
"Creation, sometimes intentionally and sometimes unintentionally, in some blessed
moment, knocks at the inner being of the writer… A writer’s insight searches for immortality within human existence in the eternity of this world."
Born on February 18, 1925, in Gujrat (now in Pakistan), Sobti hailed from a family that served in the British colonial administration. She initially pursued higher education at Fatehchand College in Lahore but relocated to India following Partition.
Sobti began as a short-story writer, publishing Lama (about a Tibetan Buddhist priest) and Nafisa in 1944. Her poignant work Ai Ladki (1991) depicted a touching interaction between a mother on her deathbed and her devoted daughter. Another significant piece, Sikka Badal Gaya, tackled the tumultuous impact of Partition.
Her novels challenged social conventions and literary norms: Dar Se Bichhadi (1958) explored the struggles of a child born from an interfaith marriage in pre-Partition India. Mitro Marjani (1966), a groundbreaking novel set in rural Punjab, depicted a young married woman's fearless assertion of her sexuality, liberating Hindi literature from rigid social realism and conventional portrayals of women’s lives. Surajmukhi Andhere Ke (1972) examined childhood trauma and resilience. Zindaginama (1979), considered one of her finest works, provided a vivid portrayal of rural India’s complexities. Dil-o-Danish (1993) and Samay Sargam (2000) further solidified her literary legacy. Gujrat Pakistan
Se Gujarat Hindustan Tak (2017) offered a semi-autobiographical reflection on Partition and her personal journey.
Writing under the masculine pseudonym Hashmat, Sobti revealed a different literary persona in her Hum Hashmat series. She once remarked: "We both have different identities. I protect, and he reveals; I am ancient, he is new and fresh; we operate from opposite directions." A challenger of tradition in every aspect of life, Sobti defied societal norms when, past the age of 70, she married Dogri writer Shivnath. Until the end, she remained a fierce critic of authoritarianism.
Her contributions to literature earned her numerous accolades, including: Sahitya Akademi Award 1980), Shiromani Award 1981, Hindi Academy Award 1982, Shalaka Award 2000, Vyas Samman 2008, Jnanpith Award 2017.
Krishna Sobti passed away on January 25, 2019, in Delhi after a prolonged illness. She remains an enduring symbol of freedom, courage, and honesty in Hindi literature—an original feminist voice who revolutionized storytelling. Her work continues to inspire generations of writers, readers, and thinkers.
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