Bapsi Sidhwa, the renowned author and literary icon, passed away on Wednesday in Houston, Texas, at the age of 86. Her death marks a profound loss for the literary world, as well as for Pakistan, India, and the global Zoroastrian community. Sidhwa’s contributions to literature were immense, with her works gaining international acclaim and leaving an indelible mark on global storytelling.
Sidhwa is perhaps best known for her novels, particularly her collaborations with Indo-Canadian filmmaker Deepa Mehta. Her 1991 novel Ice Candy Man was the inspiration for Mehta’s critically acclaimed film Earth (1998). She also wrote Water: A Novel (2006), which formed the basis for Mehta’s Academy Award-nominated film Water (2005). Through her evocative writing, Sidhwa masterfully combined history, culture, and personal experiences, solidifying her place as one of the most celebrated authors of her time.
In October 2022, the Citizens Archive of Pakistan released a documentary titled Bapsi: Silences of My Life, which explores Sidhwa’s journey as a writer and the significant influence of her traumatic experiences during the Partition of India. Born in Karachi to Zoroastrian (Parsi) parents, Sidhwa’s early years were spent in Lahore. At the age of two, she contracted polio, a pivotal moment that shaped her resilience and outlook on life.
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The Partition of India left a profound mark on Sidhwa, and her chilling encounter with a corpse hidden in a sack became an inspiration for key themes in her groundbreaking novel Cracking India. After graduating from Kinnaird College, Lahore in 1957, Sidhwa began her writing career following her marriage and return to Pakistan. Her notable works, including The Crow Eaters (1978), The Bride (1982), An American Brat (1993), and City of Sin and Splendour: Writings on Lahore (2006), vividly depict South Asia’s cultural and historical landscape.
Her literary achievements were widely recognized. In 1991, she received Pakistan’s highest national honor in the arts, the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, and in 2007, she won the Mondello Prize for Foreign Authors. She was also inducted into the Zoroastrian Hall of Fame, establishing her legacy as a global literary ambassador for her community. The Bapsi Sidhwa Literary Prize, established by the Zoroastrian Association of Houston and FEZANA Information Research Education System, was created to honor her pioneering contributions as the first internationally recognized Zoroastrian writer.
In addition to her literary brilliance, Sidhwa was beloved for her generous spirit. A former neighbor in Lahore recalled how Sidhwa had offered her garage as a painting studio in the 1970s, a gesture that helped launch her artistic career.
Sidhwa’s passing leaves a void in the intellectual world, but her legacy continues through her timeless literary works, which continue to inspire generations. She is survived by her three children—Mohur, Koko, and Parizad—and her body of work that will forever resonate in global literature.
Prayers for her soul will be held at the Bhandara Agiary in Houston, named after her mother, Tehmina Bhandara.
