Eminent author and social activist Mahasweta Devi passed away on Thursday afternoon in a Kolkata Nuring Home after a multi-organ failure. She was 91. Her writings focused on the marginalised communities in the country and served as the voice of the oppressed.<br/><br/>Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled her death. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, she wonderfully illustrated the might of the pen and was a voice of compassion, equality and justice.<br/><br/>West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the country has lost a great writer. She said, she has lost a personal guide. Mahasweta Devi was the voice of the oppressed in her novels and short stories, which won her a number of awards including the Padma Vibhushan, Magsaysay, Sahitya Akademi and Jnanpeeth.<br/><br/>Going beyond her role as a writer and journalist, Mahasweta Devi also helped tribals and the rural dispossessed to group themselves to take up development activities in their own areas. A number of her works have been adapted for the silver screen. Govind Nihalani's 1998 Hindi film 'Hazaar Chaurasi ki Ma' (The Mother of 1084 sons) is based on her Bengali novel .<br/><br/>In 1993, Kalpana Lajmi also made the award-winning 'Rudaali' on her novel by the same name. Italian director Italo Spinelli also made the multi-lingual 'Gangor' based on her short story 'Choli Ke Peeche' about the rights of women. Her cremation will be held on Friday with full State honours at Kolkata.<br/><br/>Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu has expressed grief on the demise of Mahasweta Devi. In a tweet, Mr Naidu said, Mahasweta Devi's death is a huge loss for Indian Literature. The Minister said, her work will continue to inspire young writers.

Eminent author and social activist Mahasweta Devi passed away on Thursday afternoon in a Kolkata Nuring Home after a multi-organ failure. She was 91. Her writings focused on the marginalised communities in the country and served as the voice of the oppressed.<br/><br/>Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled her death. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, she wonderfully illustrated the might of the pen and was a voice of compassion, equality and justice.<br/><br/>West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the country has lost a great writer. She said, she has lost a personal guide. Mahasweta Devi was the voice of the oppressed in her novels and short stories, which won her a number of awards including the Padma Vibhushan, Magsaysay, Sahitya Akademi and Jnanpeeth.<br/><br/>Going beyond her role as a writer and journalist, Mahasweta Devi also helped tribals and the rural dispossessed to group themselves to take up development activities in their own areas. A number of her works have been adapted for the silver screen. Govind Nihalani's 1998 Hindi film 'Hazaar Chaurasi ki Ma' (The Mother of 1084 sons) is based on her Bengali novel .<br/><br/>In 1993, Kalpana Lajmi also made the award-winning 'Rudaali' on her novel by the same name. Italian director Italo Spinelli also made the multi-lingual 'Gangor' based on her short story 'Choli Ke Peeche' about the rights of women. Her cremation will be held on Friday with full State honours at Kolkata.

Eminent litterateur and social activist Mahasweta Devi passed away on Thursday afternoon. The 90 year old Jnanpeeth awardee, who is known for her dedicated service for the welfare of tribals in different parts of India, was under treatment for age related ailments.<br/><br/>Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the death of literateur Mahashweta Devi. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, she wonderfully illustrated the might of the pen and was a voice of compassion, equality and justice.

Eminent litterateur and social activist Mahasweta Devi passed away on Thursday afternoon. The 90 year old Jnanpeeth awardee, who is known for her dedicated service for the welfare of tribals in different parts of India, was under treatment for age related ailments.<br/><br/>Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the death of literateur Mahashweta Devi. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, she wonderfully illustrated the might of the pen and was a voice of compassion, equality and justice.

Eminent litterateur and social activist Mahasweta Devi passed away on Thursday afternoon.<br/><br/>The 90 year old Jnanpeeth awardee, who is known for her dedicated service for the welfare of tribals in different parts of India, was under treatment for age related ailments.