Inked in eternity

Celebrated Pakistani author Bapsi Sidhwa passes away at 86

Bapsi Sidhwa, one of Pakistan's most celebrated literary figures, passed away on Wednesday in Houston, Texas, at the age of 86, as reported by multiple local news outlets. Known for her evocative storytelling and unflinching exploration of historical and cultural complexities, Sidhwa's novels were deeply rooted in her experiences and observations. Her work not only explored the turbulent history of Partition but also shed light on themes of identity, gender, and societal expectations, offering readers an unfiltered glimpse into the lived realities of her characters.

A life shaped by resilience

Born in Karachi to a Zoroastrian family, Sidhwa spent most of her formative years in Lahore. At the tender age of two, she contracted polio, a challenge that she would later describe as instrumental in building her inner strength and resilience. Sidhwa graduated from Lahore's Kinnaird College in 1957, setting the stage for a life dedicated to storytelling.

The trauma and upheaval she witnessed during the Partition of India profoundly shaped her perspective and creative vision. The memory of seeing a corpse stuffed in a sack would later become one of the haunting images in her critically acclaimed novel, Cracking India (originally published as Ice Candy Man).

Sidhwa's literary career began in earnest after her marriage. Her novels explored themes of love, betrayal, resilience, and societal decay against the backdrop of South Asia's turbulent history. Her body of work includes The Crow Eaters (1978), The Bride (1982), An American Brat (1993), and City of Sin and Splendour: Writings on Lahore (2006).

Her novel Ice Candy Man inspired the critically acclaimed film Earth (1998) by Indo-Canadian filmmaker Deepa Mehta, while Water: A Novel (2006) served as the literary foundation for Mehta's Academy Award-nominated film Water (2005). Both collaborations brought her global recognition and underscored her unique ability to bridge cultural and geographical divides through her storytelling.

In 2022, a documentary titled Bapsi: Silences of My Life, produced by the Citizens Archive of Pakistan, chronicled her journey as a writer and provided insight into the personal and historical experiences that informed her work.

A Legacy of recognition

Sidhwa's contributions did not go unnoticed. She was honoured with Pakistan's Sitara-i-Imtiaz, the country's highest civilian award for arts, in 1991, and received the Mondello Prize for Foreign Authors in 2007. Additionally, she was inducted into the Zoroastrian Hall of Fame, highlighting her role as a cultural ambassador for her community.

In recognition of her enduring legacy, the Bapsi Sidhwa Literary Prize was established through the sponsorship of the Zoroastrian Association of Houston and the FEZANA Information Research Education System. The prize continues to celebrate her contributions and inspire future generations of writers.

'There will only be one'

Actor Nadia Jamil shared a heartfelt Instagram post featuring cherished moments with the late author. "There will only ever be one Legendary Bapsi Sidhwa," Jamil wrote. "Rest in peace Bapsi Khala. You are a legend. A beautiful writer, woman, human being, a mentor, a friend, a loving soul. Be in eternal bliss and peace." She also expressed gratitude for Sidhwa's mentorship and their bond and added a note in which the late writer declared Jamil her "adopted daughter."

Actor Ali Rehman Khan shared an Instagram Story writing, "Another legend is gone. Rest in peace Bapsi."

Social media was flooded with tributes to the author. A user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, "The pioneer of English literature from Bapsi Sidhwa passes away. Her literary contributions changed hearts and minds, beautifully depicting the contradictory class and gendered processes a former British colony undergoes while metamorphosing into a post-colonial Islamic republic."

Another user wrote, "Curtains draw on yet another stellar inning - rest in power, Bapsi Sidhwa."

Fans celebrated her most famous works, with one writing, "Rest in peace Bapsi Sidhwa. Her writing touched many hearts and her work will always be remembered. Bapsi's Ice Candy Man is my all-time favourite book. A powerful, painful story about the 1947 partition of India."

Some also highlighted her influence on their personal lives: "Rest in peace Bapsi Sidhwa. Your book The Bride mesmerised me for days. I still dream of visiting Kohistan one day."

She is survived by her three children—Mohur, Koko, and Parizad—along with her treasured body of work. Prayers for her departed soul will be held at the Bhandara Agiary in Houston, a place named after Tehmina Bhandara, the author's mother.