Renowned Pakistani writer and novelist, Bapsi Sidhwa, passed away at the age of 86 in Houston, Texas, USA. She gained international acclaim for her famous novel, Ice Candy Man. Her brother, Feroze Bhandara, confirmed that her last rites would be held in Houston after three days of memorial ceremonies.
Sidhwa was born on August 11, 1938, to a prominent Parsi family in Karachi. However, just three months after her birth, her family moved to Lahore, where she spent most of her life.
Her novel, Ice Candy Man, not only gained global recognition but also played a significant role in shaping the international perception of Pakistani literature. The book vividly portrays the chaos and suffering during the 1947 partition of the Indian subcontinent, which Sidhwa personally witnessed as a child in Lahore.
The novel was included in the BBC’s list of the 100 most influential novels.
Later, Indian-Canadian filmmaker Deepa Mehta adapted the novel into a film titled Earth, which tells the story of a young girl affected by polio witnessing the horrors of partition riots, drawing inspiration from Sidhwa’s own childhood experiences.
After the partition, Sidhwa’s family decided to stay in Pakistan. Her debut novel, The Crow Eaters, also earned her widespread fame. The government of Pakistan awarded her the Sitara-e-Imtiaz in recognition of her contributions to literature.
The literary and showbiz world mourned her loss. Pakistani actor Nadia Jamil shared a heartfelt post, describing Sidhwa as a legend and a mentor. She expressed gratitude for her writings, which would continue to live on. Actor Ali Rehman Khan and filmmaker Abu Aleeha also paid tribute to Sidhwa, acknowledging her remarkable legacy.
