Hindi literary figure Vinod Kumar Shukla, winner of the 2023 PEN Nabokov Award, passed away on December 23, 2025, at the age of 88. Known for his childlike curiosity and unique ability to illuminate the ordinary, Shukla's work often blended places and people from his life, merging his birthplace of Rajnandgaon with his residence in Raipur in his imagination. His writing explored themes of self-metaphorizing imagery and keen observation, leaving a significant mark on literature.