Hyderabad: Sonny Mehta, one of the ‘worlds best editors’ who was credited with revolutionising the paperback business, left the entire world in a state of shock after the news of his sudden demise surfaced on the Internet.
People from all walks of life, starting from top politicians to ace writers, mourned the demise of Mehta.
Mehta, who was the urbane and astute head of American publishing house Alfred A. Knopf, died of complications from pneumonia. He was 77.
Expressing grief over the sudden demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took it to Twitter and wrote, "Sonny Mehta would be fondly remembered by countless avid readers across the world. He endeared himself to many thanks to his erudite and knowledgeable personality. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to Gita Ji, you, your family and his admirers. Om Shanti."
"I am deeply grieved by the passing away of my brother-in-law Sonny Mehta (husband of my sister Gita Mehta). He was one of the world's best editors and an extremely civilized person. May his soul rest in peace," Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik tweeted.
BJP leader Baijayant Panda, who earlier was a prominent member of Naveen Patnaik's party - Biju Janata Dal, also condoled the death of Mehta.
"Deeply saddened at the passing of Ajay Singh "Sonny Mehta, world-famous publisher & wonderful human being. Condolences to his son, wife Gita, herself an accomplished author, brothers-in-law Prem, @Naveen_Odisha Patnaik, families," Panda tweeted.
Speaking to NYT, Salman Rushdie told, "When he was honored at the Center for Fiction gala last year, Sonny abandoned the taciturn habits of a lifetime and spoke at great length, and with deep emotion, about his life in books. All of us who heard him that day were greatly moved, partly because it was such a shock to hear him speak so openly — and so much! — and partly, I think, because we feared it was a sort of farewell. It’s so sad, today, to know that it was."
"The most discerning, elegant, wise and quietly huge-hearted editor most of us will ever know, Sonny Mehta has moved on. It's hard to believe publishing--or world literature--will ever be quite the same," British-born ace essayist and novelist Pico Iyre wrote.
Indian historian and economist Ramachandra Guha also expressed grief over the death of accomplished publisher and editor since his mid-20s.
"Deeply distressed to hear of the passing of Sonny Mehta. A truly great editor and a wonderfully warm and compassionate human being," Guha wrote on Twitter.
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"This is such sad news. There aren't many giants in publishing, but Sonny Mehta was one. I wish his family and friends at Knopf all my sympathy. He was generous with his time and talent to authors, editors and agents, young and old and will be sorely missed," an admirer tweeted.
