The Voice of the marginalized communities passed away. Renowned Bengali author and activist Mahasweta Devi Breathed her last in a Kolkata nursing home on Thursday of multi-organ failure, leaving behind a precious literary era.

The 90 years old author was undergoing treatments at south Kolkata’s Belle Vue Clinic and died at 3.16 PM on Thursday. A team of eight doctors was treating the author.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted, “India has lost a great writer. Bengal has lost a glorious mother. I have lost a personal guide. Mahasheta Di rest in peace.” She tweeted further, “ I have lost a personal guide. Mahasheta Di rest in peace.”

Her literary journey lived the span of more than half a century. She won numerous awards, including the Jnanpith, the Sahitya Akademi and Bengal’s highest civilian honour, the Bangabibhushan.

She was given , India’s second-highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan in 2006 and was also the winner of Magsaysay award winner .

In her later life, she became famous for her social activities, especially for her concern of the state’s tribal population.

She had gifted the Indian literature with some ageless and legendary works like Hajar churashir Maa, Rudali, Agnigarva and many more.

It is a great loss for Bengali literature as well as Indian Literature. She will be living among us through her works forever.

By Prakriti Neogi