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Source– This post is based on the article “Sahitya Akademi announces awards; Requiem in Raga Janki best English work” published in “The Hindu” on 21st December 2023.
Why in the News?
Sahitya Akademi has announced the annual Sahitya Akademi Awards 2023 in 24 languages.
The awards are for books published between January 2017 and December 31, 2021.
What are Sahitya Akademi Awards?
Specifications | Details |
What is it? | 1) It is a literary honour that is conferred annually by Sahitya Akademi. 2) Awarded to the most outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the 24 major Indian languages (22 languages of the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, Rajasthani and English.). 3) The awards are given to books first published during the five years immediately preceding the year of the award |
Purpose | To recognise and promote excellence in Indian writing and also acknowledge new trends. |
Instituted in | 1954 |
Prize | Consists of an engraved copper plaque, a shawl, and a prize money of Rs. 1 lakh. |
Criteria for awardee | 1) Author must be an Indian national. 2) The award is conferred to living writers and not awarded posthumously. 3) Eligible works must be outstanding contributions to their respective language and literature. 4) If books exhibit equal merit, criteria such as overall literary contribution and the standing of authors will be considered for the award. |
Key Features | 1) It is the second highest literary honour by the Government of India, after Jnanpith award. 2) Other Sahitya Akademi Awards: a. Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar- Awarded based on the author’s overall contribution to children’s literature. b. Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar- Applies to books published by authors aged 35 and below. |
What are Jnanpith award?
1) The Jnanpith Award is an Indian literary award presented annually by the Bhartiya Jnanpith to an author for their outstanding contribution towards literature.
2) The award was instituted in 1961.
3) It’s awarded exclusively to Indian writers in languages listed in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India and English, with no posthumous awards.
What is Sahitya Akademi?
UPSC Syllabus- Art & Culture/Miscellaneous