Hindi writer Vinod Kumar Shukla to receive 59th Jnanpith award

New Delhi: Eminent Hindi writer Vinod Kumar Shukla has been selected as the recipient of the 59th Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary honor. Shukla, aged 88, becomes the first writer from Chhattisgarh to receive this prestigious recognition.

A celebrated short story writer, poet, and essayist, Shukla is regarded as one of the greatest contemporary writers in Hindi. He is the 12th Hindi author to be honored with the Jnanpith Award. The award includes a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh, a bronze statue of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning, and a citation.

Expressing his joy over the selection, Shukla said it was a moment of immense happiness, admitting that he had never imagined receiving such an honor. "This is a very big award. I never thought I would receive this award. I never really paid attention to awards. Others would often tell me in conversations that I deserved the Jnanpith Award, but I never found the right words to respond," Shukla shared. Despite his age, Shukla remains dedicated to writing, particularly for children.

The selection was finalized during a meeting of the Jnanpith Selection Committee, chaired by renowned storyteller and Jnanpith awardee Pratibha Ray. The committee praised Shukla for his significant contribution to Hindi literature, creativity, and his distinctive writing style. "Vinod Kumar Shukla will be the first author from the state of Chhattisgarh to be honored with this award," the committee said.

Notable members of the selection committee included Madhav Kaushik, Damodar Mauzo, Prabha Varma, Anamika, A Krishna Rao, Prafful Shiledar, Janki Prasad Sharma, and Jnanpith director Madhusudan Anand.

Shukla’s body of work is known for its unique linguistic texture and emotional depth. In 1999, he received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his book 'Deewar Mein Ek Khirkee Rahati Thi'. His other notable works include the novel 'Naukar ki Kameez' (1979), which was adapted into a film by Mani Kaul, and the poetry collection 'Sab Kuch Hona Bacha Rahega' (1992).

Offering advice to budding writers, Shukla said, "Have faith in yourself and keep writing. Writing is not a small task. If you are writing, keep writing. Have confidence in yourself. And if others give their feedback after your work is published, pay attention to it as well."

The Jnanpith Award, instituted in 1961, was first awarded to Malayalam poet G Sankara Kurup in 1965 for his anthology 'Odakkuzhal'. The award is presented exclusively to Indian authors.

With PTI inputs