PM, Pres & Others Pay Tribute to Hindi Writer, Critic Namvar Singh
Hindi writer and critic Namvar Singh died on Tuesday, 19 February, after a month-long illness.
Namvar Singh, poet, and critic died at the age of 92 on Tuesday, 19 February. The writer died after a month-long illness at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, his family confirmed on Wednesday.
Singh was not keeping well for more than a month and was on the ventilator for three weeks, his daughter Sameeksha told PTI.
The author's death, which marks the end of an era, led to scores of people sending in their condolences. Many took to social media platform Twitter to express condolences.
Condolences Pour in
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled his demise saying the critic gave Hindi literature a new direction.
“Deeply hurt by the death of Namkar Singh Ji. He gave Hindi literature a new direction through criticism. Loss of Namwar ji, who searched for the 'the second tradition', is irreparable damage to the literary world. May God give peace to the departed soul,” PM Modi tweeted in Hindi.
President Ram Nath Kovind said Singh's death was a huge loss to not only Hindi literature but also other languages in India.
"Deeply saddened by the demise of the great critic, Namvar Singh, who established a new paradigm in Hindi literature and criticism... My condolences to the grieving family and the world of Hindi literature," Kovind tweeted in Hindi.
According to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Indian languages had lost a powerful voice with Singh’s death.
“He spent his life in creating a tolerant and democratic society. Restoring dialogue in India will be the real tribute to him,” Gandhi said.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh wrote, "Namvar Singhji's death is a personal loss for me. Despite ideological differences, he knew how to respect people. His death is a huge loss for Hindi literature and our society. My condolences to his family."
“Dr Namvar Singh had a special place in Hindi literature. His work and contribution will continue to influence the upcoming generations. My tribute,” said CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "Eminent critic of Hindi literature, Namvar Singhji is no longer with us. Humble tribute to the man who gave new direction and stature to criticism in Hindi literature."
In his tweet, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Singh enriched the literary world with his diverse creations and that his death is irreparable damage to society.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan also expressed condolences over Singh’s death.
Singh was born in Varanasi's village Jiyanpur (now in Chandauli) on 28 July 1926. He completed his MA and PhD in Hindi literature from the Banaras Hindu University, where he also worked as a professor later.
He also worked as a professor in Jodhpur university and the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and served as the editor of two Hindi magazines, Janyug and Alochana.
Paying tributes to the author, Rajkamal Prakashan, which published his books, said his demise was like "the disappearance of the sun from the galaxy of Hindi literature".
"He was the biggest name in Indian literature and gave a new direction to Hindi literary criticism and a new meaning to the tradition of 'vaad-vivaad aur samvaad'. He was like a father figure for me. This is a big loss for us," Ashok Maheshwari of the publishing house said in a statement.
(With inputs from PTI)
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