Jnanpith Award

The Jnanpith Award is a prestigious literary honour in India, celebrating exceptional literary achievements across diverse linguistic traditions. Initially focusing on individual works, it now recognizes authors for their overall literary contributions. The award symbolises literary excellence and promotes linguistic diversity, with recipients representing various Indian languages. The selection process involves nominations and advisory committees, ensuring rigorous evaluation. Past laureates include eminent writers like Rabindranath Tagore, Amitav Ghosh, and Mahasweta Devi. The recent announcement of dual recipients for 2023, Gulzar and Rambadracharya, highlights the award's continued relevance and impact.

In 1961, the Bharatiya Jnanpith, led by Rama Jain and other literary figures, proposed a prestigious national and international book award for Indian language publications. After discussions with experts like Kaka Kalelkar and Harivansh Rai Bachchan, the concept gained traction. President Rajendra Prasad supported the idea, and in 1962, a meeting was held with 300 writers in Delhi, chaired by Dharamvir Bharati, to finalize the plan. Despite Prasad's passing in February 1963, the selection committee, led by Kalelkar and Sampurnanand, continued its work. The first award, focusing on works published between 1921 and 1951, saw G. Sankara Kurup honored in 1966 for his contribution to Malayalam literature. Kurup praised the award for fostering unity among India's diverse people.

The Jnanpith Award, established in 1961, celebrates Indian authors for their exceptional literary achievements. It is presented annually by the Bharatiya Jnanpith to individuals who have made significant contributions to literature. Only writers from India, composing in languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution and English, are eligible for consideration. The award, which includes a citation plaque, a cash prize, and a bronze replica of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge and wisdom, was initially granted for outstanding individual works from 1965 to 1981. However, since 1982, it has been bestowed for an author's overall literary contributions.

Initially, the Jnanpith Award honoured the "most outstanding work" of authors, accompanied by a citation plaque, cash prize, and a bronze replica of Saraswati. Over time, the criteria evolved to consider works published in the previous twenty years, with a notable increase in the cash prize to ₹1.5 lakh in 1981. As of 2015, the cash prize has further increased to ₹11 lakh.

Symbol of Literary Excellence: The Jnanpith Award serves as a symbol of literary excellence, highlighting the richness and diversity of Indian literature across multiple languages. It celebrates writers who have made significant contributions to their respective literary traditions, enriching the cultural fabric of the nation.

Recognition of Contributions: This prestigious award recognizes writers for their profound impact on Indian literature, acknowledging their role in shaping and preserving literary heritage.

Nomination and Advisory Committees: Nominations for the award are sourced from literary experts, critics, universities, and language associations. Advisory committees for each language are formed every three years, comprising three literary critics and scholars.

Jnanpith Award Selection Board: Esteemed members of the Jnanpith Award Selection Board evaluate the nominations, relying on the recommendations of the language advisory committees to determine the deserving recipient.The Selection Board is a group of 7 to 11 respected people. They stay on the board for 3 years, with a chance to continue for 2 more terms. The board looks at translations of writings from proposed writers and decides who gets an award. They have the final say in picking the winner each year.

Objective: Recognizing and honouring Indian authors for their literary contributions and works in any of the 22 officially recognized Indian languages and English.

Language Diversity

• Celebrating literary excellence across the diverse spectrum of Indian languages.
• Promoting linguistic diversity beyond Hindi and English

Recent in News: The committee announced that the 58th Jnanpith Award will be given to two writers, Sanskrit Scholar Rambadracharya and Urdu poet and lyricist Gulzar, for 2023.

Gulzar is a famous poet, lyricist, and filmmaker who has contributed a lot to Indian literature and cinema. He's known for his beautiful poetry, meaningful lyrics, and impactful films.

Jagadguru Rambhadracharya is a respected spiritual leader, scholar, and poet. He's known for his profound knowledge of scriptures, philosophy, and literature. He has written many books and poems that inspire people.

Both Gulzar and Jagadguru Rambhadracharya have made significant contributions to the world of literature, which is why they were honoured with the prestigious Jnanpith Award.

Gulzar, born Sampuran Singh Kalra on August 18, 1934, in Dina, undivided India, is a revered figure in both literary and cinematic realms. His literary prowess was acknowledged with the prestigious Jnanpith Award, a testament to his exceptional contributions to Urdu literature.

Multifaceted Talent: Beyond his mastery in poetry, Gulzar's cinematic endeavours have earned him widespread acclaim, reflected in his receipt of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and the Padma Bhushan.

Innovative Contributions: Gulzar's innovative spirit shines through his creation of the 'Triveni,' a distinctive poetic form.

Global Impact: His composition "Jai Ho" for the film "Slumdog Millionaire" garnered international recognition, earning him an Oscar and a Grammy Award, solidifying his status as a literary luminary with a global resonance.

Rambadracharya, a distinguished figure in the realm of literature and spirituality, stands as a beacon of wisdom and enlightenment. He was born in Jaunpur in 1950 Uttar Pradesh and speaks 22 languages.

Literary Contributions: Beyond his spiritual endeavours, Rambadracharya's literary works reflect his profound insights and scholarly depth, enriching the literary landscape with his wisdom and vision.

G Shankar Kurup

• Important poem- Odakkuzhal (The bamboo flute)
• He is the malayalam writer and he was the first recipient of the Jnanpith Award in 1965.

Amitabh Ghosh

• Important literary work- The shadow lines, the glass palace, sea of poppies.
• He became the first person to get this award for english language.
• In year - Jnanpith award in 2018.

Other notable recipients

• Hindi: Sumitranandan Pant (1968), Mahadevi Verma (1979), and Nirmal Verma (1999).
• Bengali: Ashapoorna Devi (1976), Mahasweta Devi (1996).
• Malayalam: S. K. Pottekkatt (1980), M. T. Vasudevan Nair (1995).
• Kannada: Kuvempu (1967), U. R. Ananthamurthy (1994), Girish Karnad (1998).
• Urdu: Qurratulain Hyder (1989).
• Youngest Recipient of Jnanpith Award : Krishna Sobti is the youngest recipient of the award. He received the award at the age of 40 in 1980 for her Hindi novel "Zindaginama."

Women recipients-
Ashapoorna Devi

• Important novel- Prothom protishruti (The first promise).
• She is a Bengali novelist and made history as the first woman to be honoured with the Jnanpith award for her novel in 1976.

Krishna Sobti

• Important novel- Mitro Marjani, Ae Ladki and Zindaginama.
• She was an Indian Hindi - language fiction writer and essayist ,In 2017 she received the Jnanpith Award for her contribution to Indian literature.She was also the recipient of the first Katha Chudamani Award, in 1999, for Lifetime Literary Achievement, apart from winning the Shiromani Award in 1981, Hindi Academy Award in 1982, Shalaka Award of the Hindi Academy Delhi And in 2008, her novel Samay Sargam.

The Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary honour, celebrates the rich tapestry of Indian literature by recognizing outstanding contributions across various languages and genres. Since its inception in 1961, the award has played a pivotal role in highlighting the diverse literary traditions of India, fostering a deeper appreciation for the country's cultural heritage. Despite its prestigious status, there is room for enhancing its impact through more inclusive and transparent selection processes that reflect the evolving literary landscape.

Learning from global literary awards, such as the Nobel Prize in Literature, the Jnanpith Award can adopt more dynamic criteria and broaden its scope to include contemporary and experimental works. Policies should focus on promoting regional and marginalised voices, ensuring a more representative and equitable platform. Strengthening partnerships with international literary bodies can bring fresh perspectives and global recognition to Indian literature.

To further the award's influence, initiatives like translation projects, literary festivals, and digital archives can be introduced, making the laureates' works accessible to a broader audience. Encouraging literary scholarships and grants can also nurture emerging writers, contributing to the sustained growth of Indian literature. By embracing these measures, the Jnanpith Award can continue to honour literary excellence while adapting to the changing cultural milieu.