Jnanpith Award
About
- The Jnanpith Award, considered the highest literary award in India, is awarded annually to authors for their outstanding contribution towards literature.
- Instituted in 1961, the award is bestowed only on Indian writers writing in Indian languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India and English, with no posthumous conferral.
Did you know?
- The first recipient of the award was Malayalam writer G Sankara Kurup in 1965 for his novel ‘Odakkuzhal’ (The Bamboo Flute).
- The award carries a cash award, a citation, and a bronze replica of Vagdevi (Hindu goddess Saraswati).
- The Award is presented annually by the Bharatiya Jnanpith, a literary and research organization, based in New Delhi.
Why in News?
- Tamil lyricist and author R. Vairamuthu has been selected for the Jnanpith Award, the nation’s highest literary honour.