Bapsi Sidhwa, a renowned icon in Pakistani English literature, passed away at the age of 86 in Houston, Texas. Born into a Gujarati family in Karachi, Sidhwa had a prolific literary career, producing numerous influential works over several decades.
Her writing was shaped by significant political and social events, particularly the Partition, which deeply influenced her storytelling. Tributes poured in globally, celebrating her legacy as a powerful literary voice. While her passing marks the end of an era in Pakistani literature, her work will continue to inspire future generations.
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A graduate of Kinnaird College for Women, Sidhwa moved to the US in the early 80s for further education and later taught at prestigious institutions such as Columbia University and the University of Houston.
Throughout her career, she received several prestigious awards, including the Lila Wallace Reader’s Digest Writer’s Award, the Mondello Prize, and the Sir Syed Day Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Pakistani government honored her with the Sitara-i-Imtiaz. Some of her most notable works include The Pakistani Bride, The Crow Eaters, An American Brat, and City of Sin and Splendour: Writings on Lahore. Her novel Cracking India gained wide recognition for its portrayal of Partition trauma, and her 2006 novel Water was adapted into a film.
