Guwahati: V.S. Naipaul, the Nobel Prize-winning British author, died at the age of 85 on Saturday. The Trinidad born British writer is better known for his caustic portrayals, in novels and non-fiction for which, at times, he has been either acclaimed or disdained.
Late V.S. Naipaul's wife, while confirming his heavenly depart, says, “He was a giant in all that he achieved and he died surrounded by those he loved having lived a life which was full of wonderful creativity and endeavour.”
Among other noted writers of the world, author Sir Salman Rushdie is also one who paid tribute to Naipaul by writing: “We disagreed all our lives, about politics, about literature, and I feel as sad as if I just lost a beloved older brother. RIP Vidia.”
Although started as a comedy writer, Naipaul shifted to novels and travelogues where he portrayed unflattering portraits of the West Indies, India, Africa and the Islamic faith. V.S. Naipaul's writings brought both hostility and acclaim for his work wherein he was accused by critics of holding people of the developing world in contempt. Despite the criticisms, there were many prestigious awards that he was being offered from time to time. Such prestigious awards include the Booker prize in 1971, a knighthood in 1989 and the Nobel prize for literature in 2001.
The work record of V.S. Naipaul and his carefree attitude towards the criticisms depict that Naipaul was never afraid of controversy. Naipaul's dispute with Paul Theroux began in 1996 and it lasted for 15 years. Aanother long-running feud of the writer was the one with Walcott. The latter had even made derogatory comments on the former by stating, “I have been bitten, I must avoid infection / Or else I’ll be as dead as Naipaul’s fiction.” However, Naipaul seemed to be unconcerned by criticism of his work who also said, “When I read those things, I am immensely amused. They don’t wound me at all.”