HOUSTON/ISLAMABAD: Bapsi Sidhwa, the celebrated Pakistani-born author and a trailblazer of South Asian literature, has passed away at the age of 86 in Houston, US, her family confirmed on Wednesday. Sidhwa, best known for her groundbreaking novel Ice Candy Man (also published as Cracking India), was a towering figure in the literary world, whose work explored themes of identity, displacement, and the impact of historical events on personal lives.
Her brother, Feroze Bhandara, announced the news and revealed that memorial ceremonies will be held over three days in Houston, followed by her final rites.
Bapsi Sidhwa’s literary legacy spans decades, and her contributions to South Asian fiction earned her widespread recognition. Born in Karachi, Pakistan, she later moved to the United States, where she continued to write and advocate for the representation of South Asian voices in literature. Her work often explored the intricacies of life in Pakistan and India, and her insightful narratives brought a fresh perspective to the struggles and complexities faced by individuals in post-colonial South Asia.
Sidhwa is survived by her three children: Mohur, Koko, and Parizad. Her passing marks the end of an era for South Asian literature, but her works will continue to inspire readers worldwide.
