The 58th Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary honour, will be bestowed upon renowned Urdu poet and acclaimed lyricist Gulzar, as well as Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya. The announcement was made by the selection committee responsible for this prestigious award on Saturday.
About Jnanpith Award
The Jnanpith Award, established in 1961, is the most esteemed literary award in India. It is presented annually to writers in any of the 22 "scheduled languages" recognized in the Indian Constitution and, since 2013, in the English language. The award includes a cash prize, a citation, and a bronze replica of Vagdevi (Saraswati), the goddess of learning, and is sponsored by the cultural organization Bharatiya Jnanpith. Initially awarded for a specific work, it has been given since 1982 for a writer's overall contribution to literature. While typically awarded to one author each year, it has been jointly awarded to two authors in some years. Recipients of the Jnanpith Award include G. Sankara Kurup, the first recipient, and Ashapurna Devi, the first woman to receive the prize. In 2018, Amitav Ghosh became the first writer in English to be honoured with the award.
Gulzar: A Maestro of Words and Visuals
Gulzar, renowned for his significant contributions to Hindi cinema, is widely regarded as one of the most eminent Urdu poets of contemporary times. His illustrious career spans multiple decades, during which he has captivated audiences with his lyrical brilliance and unparalleled storytelling prowess. With a plethora of accolades to his name, including the Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu in 2002, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2013, and the Padma Bhushan in 2004, Gulzar has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema and literature. He has penned some of the most iconic songs in the history of Indian cinema, including the Oscar-winning song "Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire". His collaborations with acclaimed filmmakers have yielded timeless classics such as "Maachis," "Omkara," "Dil Se...," and "Guru," earning him numerous National Film Awards and widespread acclaim. Gulzar has also made significant contributions as a filmmaker, helming timeless classics like "Koshish," "Parichay," "Mausam," and "Ijaazat."
Jagadguru Rambhadracharya: A Beacon of Spiritual Wisdom
Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, revered as the founder and spiritual leader of Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot, has played a pivotal role in nurturing a vibrant spiritual community and imparting invaluable teachings to countless devotees and disciples. A polyglot fluent in 22 languages, Rambhadracharya is a poet and writer in several Indian languages including Sanskrit, Hindi, Awadhi, and Maithili. In 2015, he received the Padma Vibhushan award. He was named Giridhara Misra and lost his eyesight at the age of two months due to trachoma. He was home-tutored during the initial years by his grandfather and had memorized the entire Bhagwad Gita by age five and the entire Ramcharitmanas by age eight, according to his website.
Official statement from the Jnanpith
The official statement from the Jnanpith selection committee reads, “It has been decided to give the award (for 2023) to eminent writers from two languages: Sanskrit litterateur Jagadguru Rambhadracharya and well-known Urdu litterateur Shri Gulzar.” The press release from the official selection committee recognized Gulzar for the award, stating, “Along with his long film journey, Gulzar has been setting new milestones in the field of literature. In poetry, he invented a new genre ‘Triveni’ which is a non-mukaffa poem of three lines. Gulzar has always created something new through his poetry. For some time now he has also been paying serious attention to children's poetry.”
The Jnanpith Award is the most prestigious literary accolade in India, recognizing outstanding contributions to literature in any of the 22 official languages of the country. Established in 1961 by the Bharatiya Jnanpith, a trust founded by the Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain family, the award aims to honour writers who have enriched Indian literature with their exceptional literary works. Over the years, the Jnanpith Award has been conferred upon some of the most eminent literary figures in India, including poets, novelists, playwrights, and essayists, spanning diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Image Source: Multi agencies
© Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media.
