Renowned Punjabi author and Jnanpith awardee Gurdial Singh passed away at Bathinda today. He was 83. The award-winning Punjabi film, ‘Anne Ghore Da Daan’ (Alms of the Blind Horse), was also based on his Punjabi novel with the same title. He rose to popularity with the publication of his novel ‘Marhi Da Deeva’ in 1964 and later, in 1989, a film based on the novel also came out.
His novels were translated in several Indian languages and also in English. Gurdial Singh was the recipient of various prestigious awards and honours such as Padma Shri, Jnanpith Award, Sahitya Akademi Award. Earlier this year, Sahitya Akademi announced fellowship for him which is the highest honour of the Akademi.
Punjab Chief Minister,Parkash Singh Badal has mourned the death of writer .In his condolence message he described Gurdial Singh as one of the greatest writers of Punjabi Literature.