Delhi’s favourite story-teller Sadia Dehlvi passes away
07 Aug 2020 08:22:00
NEW DELHI,
AUTHOR, activist, food connoisseurandraconteur,Delhi’s very own Sadia Dehlvi, whose name itself reflected her bond with the city, has died after a prolonged battle with breast cancer. Dehlvi,meaning‘one from Delhi’, died on Wednesday at her homeandissurvivedbyherson Arman Ali Dehlvi. She was 63. Belonging to a family whose association with the city went backcenturies,Dehlvi’sTwitter profile read, “Columnist and author Sufism: The Heart of Islam & The Sufi Courtyard: DargahsofDelhi.IliveinDelhi, a city I love.”
Dehlvi, who wrote about women, minorities, Islamic spiritualityandDelhi’sheritage and culture for more than 40 years, was laid to rest on Thursdayatthecity’sShidipura cemetery. Awomanofmanytalents, Dehlvi also producedandscripteddocumentaries and television programmes, including “Amma and Family” (1995), with veteran actor Zohra Sehgalinthelead.She wasalso a close friend and confidante of the late Khushwant Singh, who dedicated his book“Not a Nice Man to Know” to her.
“To Sadia Dehlvi, who gave me more affection and notoriety than I deserve,” he wrote. Singh’sbook“MenandWomen in my Life”, which has a chapter dedicated to her, also has Dehlvi’s photo on its cover.