Noted author and social activist Mahashweta Devi passed away in Kolkata today. The author had suffered a major heart attack on July 23. She was 90.
The eminent author was undergoing treatment at Belle Vue Clinic in Kolkata.
Born on January 14, 1926, the scholar was educated in Shantiniketan and Calcutta University; she had dedicated her life fighting for tribal rights. Other parallel themes in her work are rights, voice against exploitation, rights of the marginalised and industrialisation.
In her lifetime, the 90-year-old had written more than 100 books. She had also written hundreds of short stories on social issues.
Some of her seminal works are Jhansi r Rani (The Queen of Jhansi), Hazar Chaurasir Maa (The Mother of 1084), Aranyer Aadhikar (Right to Forest), and Master Saab (The School Teacher).
Some of her works were adapted into films and TV serials.
In her lifetime she was felicitated with several national and international awards, including the Padma Shri and Padma Vibushan, Sahitya Akademi Purashkar and Magsaysay Award.
