New Delhi: Noted writer and stage personality Bhishm Sahni, who poignantly portrayed the horrors of Partition in his famous novel "Tamas" died on July 11 night after a heart ailment. He was 82.

Sahni was admitted to Escorts Hospital on July 10 where he breathed his last after suffering a massive stroke.

The end came around 19.00 hours following a "massive cerebral infarction, doctors who attended on the novelist said.

The body has been kept in the mortuary and will be handed over to the family members tomorrow, hospital sources said.

Bhishm Sahni, brother of well-known actor Balraj Sahni, authored several novels that included "Tamas" that delved into human relationships and sensibilities in the setting of the Partition in 1947. This novel fetched him the prestigious Sahitya Academy award in 1978.

The novel earned more popularity after a television serial based on it was made starring among others Om Puri and Deepa Shahi.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee condoled the death of novelist Bhishm Sahni and said the country has lost an eminent writer who portrayed contemporary life with great sensitivity and authenticity.

Vajpayee in his message said his novels and short stories dealt with complex issues and were always thought provoking.

PTI