India, March 31 -- Considered as one of the doyens of the contemporary Punjabi short story, Prem Prakash, passed away at the ripe age of 93 in Jalandhar on Sunday afternoon.

He leaves behind a rich legacy of short fiction for which he received several honours, including the national Sahitya Akademi in 1992, Shiromani Sahitkar, Shiromani Sahitkar Bhasha Vibhag, 2002, and Bhai Vir Singh Award from Guru Nanak Dev University in 1986, among several other honours.

Speaking on his oeuvre and immense contribution to the contemporary storytelling in Punjab, playwright and poet Swarajbir said: "He charted out a new path for the Punjabi short fiction with emphasis on the psychological aspects showing dare and innovation. He chartered a new territo...