Eminent litterateur and social activist Mahasweta Devi passed away at the age of 90 at a Kolkata hospital on Thursday afternoon. She was admitted to a hospital on June 22 with septicemia and urinary infection. The Magsaysay awardee is survived by her daughter-in-law and grandchild; her son passed away two years ago.

“It's a black day for us. The greatest writer Mahashweta Devi expired today around 3.15pm. We have grown up reading her books. Rest in peace,“ Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee posted on Twitter. Mahesh Bhatt shared, “The woman who walked with the broken and refused to sit with the 'great' writer Mahasweta Devi passes away in Kolkata. What a life!“, while filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar tweeted: “Sad to hear about Padma Vibhushan Mahasweta Devi. Her immense contribution to the world of literature will always be remembered... RIP.“ Actor Rahul Bose said the iconic writer's death is a “tremendous loss“.

Several of Mahasweta Devi's novels were turned into films over the years, including the award-winning Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa (below) and Rudaali.