Kailash Puri

Kailash Puri was an internationally renowned Punjabi diasporic novelist, short story writer, journalist, and poetess. She was born on 17 April 1926 in the village Kalar, district Rawalpindi, in the Pothohar region, at the home of S. Sohan Singh. She received her primary education from the local village school. After that, she studied in Rawalpindi and completed the rest of her education in Lahore. After the Partition, her family migrated to India, and later she settled in England, where she gave a new expansion to her literary and intellectual activities.

Kailash Puri’s contribution to the field of diasporic Punjabi literature holds special significance. She wrote fearlessly about human sexuality. Her major works include three short story collections, three poetry collections, six books related to sex, four novels in Punjabi and Hindi, three compiled feature books, and two books on Indian cookery. In her writings, she undertook a psychological study of the mental complexities of British people. Through her creative works, Kailash Puri raised her voice against the oppression faced by women. She was not only a writer but also a renowned journalist and advisor. She also served as the editor of women’s magazines Subhagwati and Roopwati.

In recognition of her literary contributions, Kailash Puri was honored by the Punjab Language Department with the titles of Shiromani Punjabi Sahitkar (Overseas) and the Bhai Mohan Singh Vaid Literary Award, along with several other honors. She also received the Woman of the Year Award in 1984. On 10 June 2017, she passed away in London.