End of an era: Author Khushwant Singh dies at 99


End of an era: Author Khushwant Singh dies at 99

New Delhi, Mar 20 (IANS): Author, journalist, commentator Khushwant Singh, known for his witty, fearless and acerbic writings, is dead, his family announced. He died in his 100th year.

He died quietly at home at his leafy Sujan Singh Park apartment, a landmark for oldtimers of the capital, in whose construction his grandfather, Sir Sujan Singh, had a big hand.

He was pre-deceased by his wife Kawal. He is survived by son Rahul and daughter Mala.

He will be cremated at Lodhi crematorium at 4 p.m. Thursday.

A recipient of Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honour, Khushwant Singh authored some internationally renowned books like "Train to Pakistan", "I Shall Not Hear the Nightingale", "A History of the Sikhs", "The Company of Women" and "Delhi", and has written over 30 novels, many short stories, essays and countless commentaries.

He was close to former prime minister Indira Gandhi but then fell out with her over her imposition of press censorship during her emergency rule 1975-77. The relationship further soured after he became close to estranged daughter-in-law Maneka Gandhi, whom he mentored for some time.

In 2002, the author candidly wrote about his life, family history and his relationship with politicians in the autobiography "Truth, Love and a Little Malice".

In 1974, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award, but he returned the award in 1984 in protest against the army siege of the Golden Temple of the Sikhs in Amritsar.

His son Rahul Singh, a journalist and writer, said the author had stopped writing a few weeks back, but he was reading papers every morning.

"He was alert mentally till the very end," Rahul said.

"He passed away very peacefully, led a very full life," he added.

Born in Hadali, now in Pakistan, he had, among others, served as the editor of The Illustrated Weekly of India, where his column, "With malice towards one and all", flagged with the bulb symbol with his caricature inside, made him an iconic figure. He was also editor of The Hindustan Times and National Herald.

Known for his colourful writings, sharp sense of humour and love for the good life, his writings weren't just limited to novels and short stories, Khushwant Singh oeuvre ranged from political commentary to contemporary satire.

"He was a gentle person and a great admirer of Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa. He believed in good thought and good deed. He hated hypocrisy and fundamentalism," Rahul said.

He was also a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1980 to 1986.

Vice President M Hamid Ansari, in a tribute, said: "Khushwant Singh had a long, prolific and illustrious literary career spanning several decades during which he wrote on subjects varying from politics to poetry to issues of social concern.

"He was particularly admired for being fearless in expressing his views in his writing and speech."

 

Khushwant's oeuvre

Regarded as one of India's noted authors and columnists, Khushwant Singh Thursday breathed his last at the age of 99 in New Delhi. We list the books penned by the writer, who lived a momentous life.

Novels/Books

"How the Sikhs Lost their Kingdom"

"Train to Pakistan"

"Ranjit Singh: Maharajah Of The Punjab"

"More Malicious Gossip"

"Delhi: A Novel"

"India: An Introduction"

"Women and Men in my Life"

"The Company of Women"

"A History of the Sikhs"

"I Shall Not Hear the Nightingale"

"Truth, Love and a Little Malice: An Autobiography"

"Big Book of Malice"

"Khushwant Singh's View of India"

"The Vintage Sardar: The Very Best of Khushwant Singh"

"The End of India"

"Gods and Godmen of India"

"Paradise and Other Stories"

"Burial at Sea"

"The Illustrated History of the Sikhs"

"The Portrait of a Lady"

"The Sunset Club"

"Khushwantnama: The Lessons of my Life"

"The Good, the Bad and the Ridiculous (Co-authored with Humra Qureshi)"


Short Story Collections

"The Mark of Vishnu and Other Stories"

"The Voice of God and Other Stories"

"A Bride for the Sahib and Other Stories"

"Black Jasmine"

"The Portrait of a Lady"


 

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Comment on this article

  • Prakasha Mulki, Mulki/Kulai

    Fri, Mar 21 2014

    I am very happy that one of my appreciation letters was published in Illustrated Weekly of India during my student life in around 70s.I would read Khushwant's column generally.The cost of the magazine perhaps was below Re.1/-

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  • Vincent Rodrigues, Katapadi/Bangalore

    Fri, Mar 21 2014

    Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Kushwant Singh on his unexpected demise and let his soul rest in eternal peace.Thanq.

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  • Robert George, Mangalore/US

    Fri, Mar 21 2014

    Khushwant Singh, well-known for his acerbic wit and sarcasm, had an eventful life. With his near-vitriolic attacks on politicians, he tried to inspire the polity. Many will cherish his liberal ideals.

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  • U.B. SALIAN, surathkal

    Thu, Mar 20 2014

    Legendary in journalism.May his soul rest in peace

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  • Mrs. AF D'Souza, Kundapur/Mumbai.,

    Thu, Mar 20 2014

    Rest in peace the great Bapu of Indian Journalism,Author,poet, etc. Very bold and frank to express his thoughts and views and love for his whisky. I was regularly reading his column -The Malice- in ADC paper. Only once a week he used to write. But I was particularly and used to tell my husband to pick up ADC without fail while returning from office. Of late, he stopped writing it seems. I have preserved many of his hilarious articles/paper cuttings.I wished he celebrated his centenary! We obey the Almighty's will. My condolences to his near and dear ones.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • P. Shivaram Shetty, Baroda / Vadodara

    Thu, Mar 20 2014

    The 'Bulb' fused once for all.
    I still remember in 1970s in Illustrated Weekly on Editorial page cartoonist Mario Miranda drew a bulb and Khushwant Singh sat inside the Bulb along with his Scotch and picture books.
    Khushwant Singh's weekly column " Malice towards One and All " with same Mario Miranda's BULB cartoon, was very popular with many other Newspapers also after he left Illustrated weekly and started writing for other Newspapers as Freelance.
    He was Agnostic to the Core, and did not believe in the existence of the Soul.
    Still, let us pray - May his Soul Rest in Peace.

    DisAgree Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • BENNET VAS, Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 20 2014

    Great writer and author, I never missed reading in those days "The Illustrated Weekly of India" - lived an open and hearty life, had no hang-ups about his personal life and enjoyed his daily scotch. Good bye Sardar Saheb ....

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  • ali, saudi arabia

    Thu, Mar 20 2014

    Great writer ends there life, but his book showing all of his presence

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ryan, Kuwait

    Thu, Mar 20 2014

    Why not Bharath Ratna to this Gem??

    DisAgree [3] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • ROSHAN CRASTA, KASARAGOD/DUBAI

    Thu, Mar 20 2014

    I Remember my 12th Class .. English chapter .. "The Mark of Vishnu" May His Soul Rest In Peace.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • flavian dsouza, chik/banglore

    Thu, Mar 20 2014

    Great writer have been reading since ILLUSTRATED WEEKLY DAYS/BLITZ days.KNOWN FOR HIS GREAT HUMOR ..

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, M'lore

    Thu, Mar 20 2014

    Khushwantji- You are immortal. You are!

    DisAgree [2] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • EVANS ALEX, FALNIR MANGALORE

    Thu, Mar 20 2014

    I AM A GREAT FAN OF LATE KUSHWANT SINGH.IT WAS A SORT OF TELEPATHY, LAST NIGHT I DREAMT ABOUT HIM, AND WAS GUESSING HIS AGE, AND ABOUT HIS HEALTH.MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rudolf, Mumbai

    Thu, Mar 20 2014

    Great persona, RIP Sir!! You will be ever remembered for all your good work, boldness, and satire!!

    He had once said "I fear I may make an ass of myself at the time of my death_most people do.I don't want to cry for help,or ask God to forgive me my sins and make any display of weakness.Like my father who died a few minutes after he had his evening Scotch,I would like to have one before embarking on the long road."

    DisAgree [2] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Suleman Beary, Udupi

    Thu, Mar 20 2014

    RIP. We miss you forever paaji..

    DisAgree [1] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • S.M. Nawaz Kukkikatte, Udupi / Dubai

    Thu, Mar 20 2014


    Great Author, May His Soul Rest In Peace.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Henry misquith, Bahrain

    Thu, Mar 20 2014

    Rest in eternal peace Paaji. U were motivation for many people.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajesh Shetty, Mlore Shj

    Thu, Mar 20 2014

    My all time Fav writer. He really thought that book reading is a passion. RIP, we will miss him & his books.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • jeetendra hegde, mumbai

    Thu, Mar 20 2014

    Rest in peace .,bold and handsome writer...

    DisAgree [5] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse


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