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{{Short description|Indian novelist, journalist, and writer (1942–2021)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox writer
| name = Madhur Kapila
| image = कपिला.jpg
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1942|4|15}}
| birth_place = [[Jalandhar]], [[British India]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2021|12|19|1942|4|15}}
| death_place = [[Chandigarh]], India
| occupation = Writer, journalist, art critic
| language = [[Hindi]]
| genre =
}}

'''Madhur Kapila''' (15 April 1942 – 19 December 2021) was an Indian novelist, journalist, art critic and a reviewer of [[Hindi literature]].<ref name="ToI-discussed" />

Some of her published works included ''Bhatke Raahi'' ({{Translation|Wandered}}), ''Satwan Swar'' ({{Translation|Seventh vowel}}) and ''Saamne ka Aasman'' ({{Translation|The sky in front}}).

Her last novel ''Nishesh'' <ref name=:3>{{cite web |url=https://www.penguin.co.in/book/nishesh-%e0%a4%a8%e0%a4%bf%e0%a4%b6%e0%a5%87%e0%a4%b7/ |title=Nishesh/नि:शेष |website=Penguin Random House India |language=hi}}</ref><ref name=:4>{{cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/jyoti-subramanian-yog-uninterrupted-9294608/|work=The Indian Express|date=8 May 2024 |title=Book Nook | 'The journey within…' : Jyoti Subramanian's 'Yog Uninterrupted' connects many dots }}</ref> was published posthumously in January 2024 by [[Penguin Random House]] India.<ref name=:5>{{cite web |url=https://www.penguin.co.in/book_author/madhur-kapila-%e0%a4%ae%e0%a4%a7%e0%a5%81%e0%a4%b0-%e0%a4%95%e0%a4%aa%e0%a4%bf%e0%a4%b2%e0%a4%be/ |language=hi |title=Madhur Kapila/मधुर कपिला |website=Penguin Random House India }}</ref><ref name=:6>{{cite web |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/lifestyle/madhur-kapilas-last-book-titled-ni-shesh-released-608357|title="Madhur Kapila's last book titled NiːShesh released" |work=The Tribune|date=8 May 2024}}</ref>

She was a recipient of the Chandigarh [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] for lifetime contributions to literature and the Cultural Representative Award from the Punjab [[Sangeet Natak Akademi]].

== Early life ==
Kapila was born in [[Jalandhar]], [[Punjab]], in what was then [[British Raj|British India]], on 15 April 1942. She was introduced to [[Hindustani classical music|''Hindustani'' classical music]] in her childhood at the [[Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=21 December 2021|title=Fiction writer, art critic Madhur Kapila passes away|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/fiction-writer-art-critic-madhur-kapila-passes-away-101640028868724.html|access-date=21 December 2021|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|archive-date=21 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221014619/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/fiction-writer-art-critic-madhur-kapila-passes-away-101640028868724.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Madhur Kapila|url=https://www.veethi.com/india-people/madhur_kapila-profile-12201-25.htm|access-date=21 December 2021|website=veethi.com|archive-date=21 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221235858/https://www.veethi.com/india-people/madhur_kapila-profile-12201-25.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Career ==
Madhur Kapila started her writing career early when she was aged 12. Her first novel ''Bhatke Rahi'' ([[Hindi]]: भटके रही) told the story of a woman through her experiences during the [[Partition of India]] and following the country's independence in 1947.<ref name=":0" /> She moved to [[Chandigarh]] in 1977 after her marriage to journalist Ramesh Kapila. During this time she emerged as an art critic and contributed to many newspapers and magazines as a freelance journalist and an art critic. The ''[[Dainik Tribune]]'', ''[[Dinaman]]'', the ''[[Punjab Kesari]]'', the ''[[Jansatta]]'', Hindi Hindustan newspapers and various literary journals and magazines such as ''Hans'', ''Vartamaan Sahitya'', ''Vaagarth'', ''Naya Gyanodaya'' ([[Bharatiya Jnanpith]]), ''Dastak'', ''Irawati'', ''Harigandha'', ''Jaagriti'' and many more have published her short stories and literary columns,<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030712/main5.htm "‘Sahni was embodiment of Punjabi spirit’"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042626/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030712/main5.htm |date=4 March 2016 }} ''The Tribune'', Chandigarh, India 12 July 2003.</ref> including the Kala Kshetraya – a weekly art and literature column in the ''Dainik Tribune'' which also serialized and published her first novel ''Satwan Swar'' ([[Hindi]]: सातवाँ स्वर).<ref name="ToI-discussed">{{cite news |title=Kapila, Sehgal novels discussed |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/kapila-sehgal-novels-discussed/articleshow/1814986829.cms |access-date=22 December 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en |archive-date=22 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222024141/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/kapila-sehgal-novels-discussed/articleshow/1814986829.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> In a later interview, Kapila would note that an interview of the Hindi author and playwright, [[Bhisham Sahni]], was her first journalistic assignment.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Main News|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030712/main5.htm|access-date=22 December 2021|website=www.tribuneindia.com|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430000615/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030712/main5.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Her first story was published in 1960 in the ''Veer Pratap'', a newspaper from [[Jullundur]]. She subsequently published three novels, including ''Bhatke Raahi'' ([[Hindi]]: भटके राही; {{Translation|Wandered}}), ''Satwan Swar'' ([[Hindi]]: सातवाँ स्वर; {{Translation|Seventh vowel}}) and ''Saamne ka Aasman'' ([[Hindi]]: सामने का आसमान; {{Translation|The sky in front}});<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130606/ttlife1.htm "Beyond the obvious: Madhur Kapila's new novel Samne Ka Aasman portrays life and its complexities"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214949/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130606/ttlife1.htm |date=3 March 2016 }}. Tanya Malhotra, ''The Tribune'', Chandigarh, India – Lifestyle. 5 June 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/roundabout-painting-the-town-with-words/story-Mbgc7r6M46D8IBDYZXyDQP.html "Roundabout: Painting the town with Words"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113141638/http://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/roundabout-painting-the-town-with-words/story-Mbgc7r6M46D8IBDYZXyDQP.html |date=13 January 2017 }}. ''Hindustan Times'', Nirupama Dutt | 26 April 2015</ref> three short story collections – ''Beechon Beech'' ([[Hindi]]: बीचों बीच; {{Translation|In the middle}}), ''Tab Shayad'' ([[Hindi]]: तब शायद; {{Translation|Then maybe}}) <ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040322/cth2.htm#5 ""Tab Shayad" released"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050309220941/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040322/cth2.htm#5 |date=9 March 2005 }}. ''The Tribune'', Chandigarh, 21 March 2004.</ref> and ''Ek Muqadama Aur'' ([[Hindi]]: एक मुक़दमा और; {{Translation|One more case}}).<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040711/spectrum/book7.htm "Spectrum: Hindi review"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913174620/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040711/spectrum/book7.htm |date=13 September 2017 }}. ''The Sunday Tribune'', 11 July 2004.</ref> Her published novel ''Saamne ka Aasmaan'' (''[[Hindi]]:'' सामने का आसमान) told the story of three individuals from different strata of the society coming together and living a shared experience at a theater.<ref name=":0" /> She also wrote a book on Indian classical singer, [[Pandit Jasraj]].<ref name="Tribune/20040322/">{{Cite web|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Chandigarh Stories|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040322/cth2.htm|access-date=22 December 2021|website=www.tribuneindia.com|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430094653/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040322/cth2.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Her works were noted for narratives in simple language, often written with central women characters and their experiences and emotions in a male-dominated society.<ref name="Tribune/20040322/" />
 No references available. -->

She was a member of the Chandigarh [[Sangeet Natak Akademi]] for over three decades.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> Her stories have been translated into Indian and foreign languages including [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and English. English translations of her stories have been included in the anthology ''"Flowing like a River"''.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Indian Literature|title=Flowing like a River|date=2013|journal=Indian Literature|volume=1|issue=273|pages=170–175|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|jstor=43856753}}</ref><ref name=":1" />

Her last novel ''Nishesh'' (''[[Hindi]]:'' नि:शेष)<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> was published posthumously in January 2024 by [[Penguin Random House]] India.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" />

The novel ''Nishesh'' was subsequently featured and showcased as a bestseller at the [[New Delhi World Book Fair]] 2024 organised by The [[National Book Trust]],<ref>{{Cite web | title=Welcome to National Book Trust India | url=https://nbtindia.gov.in/ | access-date=2025-11-16 | website=nbtindia.gov.in}}</ref> India, a part of the [[Ministry of Education India]] of the [[Government of India]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbtindia.gov.in/ndwbf2024/general-information.html |title=Terms and conditions – New Delhi World Book Fair 2024 }}</ref>

== Awards ==
[[File:Madhur Kapila receives Sahitya Akademi Lifetime Achievement Award (11335824976).jpg|thumb|Kapila receiving the Chandigarh [[Sahitya Akademi]] lifetime achievement award (2011) from [[Karan Singh]]]]
In 2011, Kapila received the Chandigarh [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] for her outstanding contribution to literature.<ref>[https://www.indiatoday.in/opinion/vikas-kahol/story/an-effort-to-make-the-city-a-literary-hub-127707-2011-02-01 "An effort to make the city a literary hub"] . ''India Today'', Vikas Kahol. 2 February 2011</ref><ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Awards-of-Recognition/speednewsbytopic/keyid-544474.cms "Awards of Recognition"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230211329/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Awards-of-Recognition |date=30 December 2021 }}. ''Times of India'', Amit Sharma</ref> She was also a recipient of the Cultural Representative Award from the [[Sangeet Natak Akademi|Punjab Sangeet Natak Akademi]] and was noted as one of 111 Hindi female writers of the 21st century by ''The Sunday Indian''.<ref name=":1" /><ref>[http://www.thesundayindian.com/111_hindi_female_writers.pdf "111 Hindi Female Writers"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022085204/http://www.thesundayindian.com/111_hindi_female_writers.pdf |date=22 October 2016 }}. ''The Sunday Indian'', Ashok Bose</ref>

== Personal life ==
Kapila was married to journalist Ramesh Kapila, who worked with ''[[The Indian Express]]''. The couple had three children; two daughters and a son.<ref name=":2" /> Her daughter Shruti Kapila is a published author and an associate professor of history at the [[University of Cambridge]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kapila|first=Shruti|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-v36DwAAQBAJ|title=Violent Fraternity: Indian Political Thought in the Global Age|date=2 November 2021|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-0-691-21575-4|language=en|access-date=22 December 2021|archive-date=30 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230211408/https://books.google.com/books?id=-v36DwAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}</ref>

Kapila died from a cardiac arrest on 19 December 2021, at the age of 79 at her home in Chandigarh.<ref name=":0" />

== Bibliography ==
'''Sources:'''<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|date=2013|title=Our Contributors|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43856769|journal=Indian Literature|volume=57|issue=1 (273)|pages=243–250|jstor=43856769|issn=0019-5804|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=22 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222002525/https://www.jstor.org/stable/43856769|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Novels ===
* {{cite book
| title = Bhatke Rahi भटके राही
}}
* {{cite book
| title = Satwan Swar सातवाँ स्वर
| publisher = Kriti Prakashan
| year = 2002
| isbn = 81-8060-066-1
}}
* {{cite book
| title = Saamne ka Aasman सामने का आसमान
| publisher = Bharatiya Jnanpith
| year = 2010
| isbn = 978-81-263-2002-8
}}
* {{cite book
| title = Nishesh नि:शेष
| publisher = [[Penguin Random House India]]
| year = 2024
| isbn = 978-0-14-345717-6
}}

=== Short story collections ===
* {{cite book
| title = Beechon Beech बीचों बीच
| publisher = Abhivyakti Prakashan
| year = 1993
| isbn =
}}
* {{cite book
| title = Tab Shayad तब शायद
| publisher = Shila Lekh
| year = 2004
}}
* {{cite book
| title = Ek Muqadma Aur एक मुक़दमा और
| publisher = Shila Lekh
| year = 2008
| isbn = 978-81-7329-208-8
}}

== See also ==
* [[Indian literature]]
* [[Hindi literature]]
* [[List of Indian writers]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.jstor.org/stable/43856753?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents ''Indian Literature, Sahitya Akademi Journal, Vol. 57, No. 1 (273) (January/February 2013), pp. 170-175'' – Flowing like a Riverː Madhur Kapila and Jaswant Singh Saini]
* [http://www.thesundayindian.com/111_hindi_female_writers.pdf ''The Sunday Indian (22 Aug – 4 Sep, 2011)'' – 111 Female Hindi writers of the 21st century (''द सनडे इंडियन - 21वी सदी की 111 हिन्दी लेखिकाएँ'')] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022085204/http://www.thesundayindian.com/111_hindi_female_writers.pdf |date=22 October 2016 }}
* [https://www.penguin.co.in/book_author/madhur-kapila-%e0%a4%ae%e0%a4%a7%e0%a5%81%e0%a4%b0-%e0%a4%95%e0%a4%aa%e0%a4%bf%e0%a4%b2%e0%a4%be/ ''Madhur Kapila''] – [[Penguin Random House India]]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Kapila, Madhur}}
[[Category:1942 births]]
[[Category:2021 deaths]]
[[Category:Writers from Chandigarh]]
[[Category:Indian women short story writers]]
[[Category:Hindi-language novelists]]
[[Category:Hindi-language Indian writers]]
[[Category:Women writers from Chandigarh]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian novelists]]
[[Category:Indian women journalists]]
[[Category:Women writers from Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Hindi-language journalists]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian journalists]]
[[Category:Novelists from Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Writers from Jalandhar]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women novelists]]

Madhur Kapila - Revision history

Antoniomec at 04:37, 29 April 2026