Prominent Pahari litterateur Ramesh Mastana has died following a tragic hit-and-run road accident in Himachal Pradesh. The incident occurred on the night of November 5 while he was riding his bullet motorcycle back home. An unidentified vehicle struck his bike on the way, leaving him severely injured. He was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Local authorities have launched a formal investigation into the hit-and-run case to trace the vehicle involved. The sudden tragedy, occurring just ahead of Diwali, has plunged his home district and the wider literary fraternity into profound mourning.
Details of the Accident and Background
The mishap took place in Chambi, located in the Shahpur area of Kangra district. Mastana held a distinguished academic record as he was the very first gold medalist in the Hindi department of the historic Dharamshala College. Hailing from Nerti village in Shahpur, he was born to Lachhman Das and Phula Devi. His family had deep roots in education, as his grandfather Gyanchand previously taught Urdu at a madrasa in Lahore during his time, and his father also served as a teacher. Continuing the legacy, both of his sons are currently employed in the education sector.
Prolific Literary Contributions
Mastana made immense contributions to regional literature by authoring around a dozen books spanning poetry, short stories, essays, memoirs, travelogues, criticism, and surveys. Among his notable works are the folklore-based 'Aastha ke Deep: Lok Vishwas' and cultural studies like 'Lokmanas ke Daire'. He also co-authored 'Pangi-Ghati ki Pagdandiyan Evam Parchhaiyan' alongside Prabhat Sharma, capturing the cultural essence of the Pangi Valley. His other prominent publications include the Pahari poetry collection 'Pakkharu Bolai', the Hindi poetry collection 'Kagaz ke Phoolon Mein', and essay compilations such as 'Mittiya Di Pakad' and 'Merya Mitra'.
Awards and Tributes
Throughout his literary journey, Mastana received numerous accolades recognizing his dedication to regional arts and culture. He was honored with the Pahari Sahitya Samman in 1999, the Acharya Manad Samman in 2001, and the Gurukul Sahitya Samman in 2008. His credentials further grew with the Sahitya Vibhuti Samman in 2011, the Lalchand Prarthee Kala Sanskriti National Award in 2012, and the Shahpur Gaurav Sahitya Puraskar in 2020. Leading writers, poets, and cultural figures across Himachal Pradesh have expressed deep sorrow over his untimely demise.
