New Delhi, July 12: Bhishm Sahni who died on Friday was a versatile personality who projected human relations and human sensibilities in their depth in both writing and on the stage. He also made a mark in acting, politics, journalism and teaching. Born on August 1915 in Rawalpindi, Bhishm Sahni, brother of well known film actor Balraj Sahni, was drawn to politics at an early age and joined the independence movement.
At an young age he became district secretary of Congress and went to prison. He was then drawn to the Left movement.

After the partition, he came to Delhi in 1949 and stayed here throughout except for nine years he had spent in Moscow.


He taught English and wrote novels, stories and plays in Hindi. He also edited Hindi magazine "Nai Kahaniyan" and was organising secretary of IPTA.
His novel "Tamas" was made into a well known TV serial bringing to focus the horrors and poignant scenes of those uprooted by the partition. He won Sahitya Akademi Award for this novel in 1978.

He also wrote the biography of Balraj Sahni "Balraj My Brother" in English.

A member of Sahitya Akademi, his novel "Nilu, Nitima Nilofer" was published three years ago.

Bureau Report