The Hindu : National : `A master of all genres of writing'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004

National

National

`A master of all genres of writing'

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 28. The Vice-President, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, Governors, Chief Ministers, writers and a host of other dignitaries have mourned the death earlier today of the novelist, Mulk Raj Anand. (Mr. Anand died at Pune's Jehangir Hospital, where he was admitted on September 17 following a bout of pneumonia. His last rites will be performed on Thursday at Khandala, near Mumbai.)

Mr. Shekhawat said Mr. Anand was a master of the art and craft of all genres of writing, especially novels and short stories. In his writings, he captured the essence of life in India and portrayed the trials and tribulations of the poor and the dispossessed with compassion.

In his death, the country had lost a litterateur of immense stature who made India proud with his creative writings, the Vice-President said.

Realistic portrayal

Describing Mr. Anand as "one of the founding fathers" of the English novel in India, Dr. Singh expressed grief at the demise of Mr. Anand. Recalling his outstanding contributions to Indian literature, Dr. Singh said the novelist's realistic and sympathetic portrayal of the lives of the poor in India would always be remembered.

Apart from his achievements as a writer, an art critic and an educationist, Mr. Anand dedicated many years of his life to the universal cause of freedom, including participation in the Spanish Civil War, the Prime Minister said.

The Lok Sabha Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee, in a condolence message from Geneva, where he is attending the Inter-Parliamentary Union conference, said Mr. Anand had enriched Indian literature through his works, which reflected the realities of Indian society.

The Information and Broadcasting Minister, S. Jaipal Reddy, said Mr. Anand "will ever remain an abiding source of inspiration to the young generation." The Punjab Governor, Justice (retd.) O. P. Verma, said that in Mr. Anand's death the country had lost an eminent writer who gave a new identity to English literature, especially in the post-Partition era.

The Maharashtra Governor, Mohammed Fazal, said: "In the passing away of Mulk Raj Anand, the world of literature has lost one of the most prolific writers, novelist, short-story writer and art critic in English."

The Maharashtra Chief Minister, Sushilkumar Shinde, said that Mr. Anand, a great admirer of Nehru's socialism, was fearless and straightforward in expressing his thoughts. "He was a renowned Indian writer in English after Rabindranath Tagore and his lucid writing has left an indelible mark in English literature, which reflected socio-political life of his time.

The West Bengal Chief Minister, Buddhadev Bhattacharjee, said Mr. Anand's major novels bore testimony to his deep sympathy for the disadvantaged sections of society. — UNI, PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News Update

Stories in this Section