New Delhi: Recognized Hindi writer Vinod Kumar Shukla The recipient of the highest literary honor in India was appointed, the 59th Jnanpith AwardOn Saturday.
The 88 -year -old writer, held by his poetry, stories and essays, will be Chhattisgarh’s first author to receive this prestigious honor. After receiving the honor, Shukla will join the ranks of 12 distinguished Hindi writers who have received the Jnanpith.
Shukla is considered one of the best Contemporary Hindi writerswith a distinctive linguistic texture and a deep emotional attraction. He won Sahitya Akademi Award In 1999 for his novel Deewar Mein Ek Khirkee Rahati Thi. His notable works include Naukar Ki Kameez (1979), which was adapted to a film by director Mani Kaul, and the Sab Kuch Hona Bacha Rahega (1992) poetry collection.
The decision to honor Shukla was taken by the Jnanpith Selection Committee, chaired by Storyteller and Jnanpith Awardee Pratibha Ray. “Vinod Kumar Shukla will be the first author of the state of Chhattisgarh to be honored with this award. This honor is being conferred for his excellent contribution to Hindi literatureCreativity and distinctive writing style, “the committee said in a statement.
Other members present at the selection meeting included Madhav Kaushik, Damodar Mauzo, Prabha Varma, Anamika, a Krishna Rao, Praful Shiledar, Janki Prasad Sharma and the director of Jnanpith Madhusudan Anand.
The Jnanpith Award was instituted in 1961 and is awarded annually to Indian writers for their excellent contribution to literature. He carries a cash prize from RS 11 Lakh, a bronze statue of Saraswati the Hindu goddess of learning and an appointment.
The first receptor of the Jnanpith Award was the poet Malayalam G. Sankara Kurup in 1965.
