On Bhisham Sahni
We are deeply grieved at the passing away of Bhisham Sahni, on July 11,2003, one of the best known Hindi writers of our times. He was 87. Bhishamji will always be remembered in the literary world and among cultural activists for his abiding commitment to the values of peace, justice and secularism, and for his untiring efforts in forging solidarity amongst Afro-Asian writers.

For all of us at SAHMAT Bhishamji was a very special and inspiring presence. He had been in the forefront of the spontaneous protest that followed Safdar Hashmi’s brutal murder in 1989, and was Founder Chairman of the Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust. Sahmat activities always enlivened by his enthusiastic participation and creative contribution bore the stamp of his wise counsel till the very end.

Bhishamji’s novel on partition, "Tamas" (The Darkness) was to become the most powerful and celebrated portrayal of the horrible tragedy of Partition. He was given the Sahitya Academy award for "Tamas" in 1976 and later on went to become

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"Mahatter Sadasya" (Fellow)of the Academy. He was also honoured by Soviet Land Nehru Award, the Lotus Award of the Afro-Asian Writers Conference and Padma Bhushan. Bhishamji was the general Secretary of the Progressive Writers’ Association for a long period.
"Mayyadas ki Manrdi", "Kunto" and "Neelu, Neelima,Neelofer" are his other major novels. He also published nine short story collections. In realistic stream of contemporary Hindi, his was one of the most important voices. Introduced to stage through IPTA  he not only wrote six significant Hindi plays including such renowned plays as "Hanoosh" and "Kabira Khada Baazar Main", he also went to act on stage and later even in a few chosen films and serials. He also penned (in English) biography of his elder brother, renowned actor Balraj Sahani, "Balraj My Brother".

He will be deeply missed by the SAHMAT fraternity all over the country.

To Kalpana, Varun, Romi and Rohini and other members of the family we send our heartfelt condolences.