Raipur
Renowned Hindi poet and novelist Vinod Kumar Shukla passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here on Tuesday evening. He was 88. Shukla, who was recently honoured with the 59th Jnanpith Award, had been undergoing treatment for severe respiratory complications for several weeks.
Doctors at AIIMS Raipur stated that the veteran litterateur was suffering from interstitial lung disease (ILD) and was being treated for severe pneumonia. He was on advanced life-support measures, including mechanical ventilation, after his condition turned critical on Monday.
A historic literary legacy
Born on 1 January 1937 in Rajnandgaon, Shukla was a towering figure in contemporary Indian literature. He became the first writer from Chhattisgarh to receive the Jnanpith Award, the highest literary honour in India, earlier this year.
His contribution to Hindi literature spanned over five decades, marked by a unique style that blended magic realism with the simplicity of middle-class life. His notable works include:
- Naukar Ki Kameez (The Servant’s Shirt), which was adapted into a celebrated film by Mani Kaul.
- Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi, for which he received the Sahitya Akademi Award (1999).
- Sab Kuch Hona Bacha Rahega, a prominent poetry collection.
Tributes pour in
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed his condolences, stating that Shukla’s demise is an irreparable loss to the world of literature. The Chief Minister had recently enquired about his health and instructed authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the writer.
Shukla is survived by his son, Shashwat Shukla. His funeral is expected to take place in Raipur on Wednesday.
He was admitted to the Critical Care Unit (CCU) of the facility, according to the media bulletin released by AIIMS Raipur on Monday.
Shukla was suffering from severe respiratory illness and was a known case of interstitial lung disease (ILD). He had multiple co-morbidities, including type-2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Doctors stated he was being treated for severe pneumonia, complicated by pleural effusion and systemic infection. He was also receiving treatment for oral candidiasis.
Shukla was on advanced life-support measures, including mechanical ventilatory support. He was being managed with multiple inotropic medications to maintain blood pressure. Medical officials noted that his organ functions were being closely monitored as his condition remained critical. His urine output was minimal, and he had been put on dialysis (CRRT) since Monday.
The medical team at AIIMS Raipur made continuous efforts to stabilise his condition. Shukla, born on 1 January 1937, was recently presented with the Jnanpith Award at his residence on 21 November 2025.
