20-February-2024-Editorial

58TH JNANPITH AWARDS: JAGADGURU SWAMI RAMBHADRACHARYA, GULZAR WINNERS FOR 2023

The esteemed Jnanpith Award, India’s oldest and highest literary recognition, has added illustrious names to its recipients for the 58th edition.

The selection committee declared that the 2023 award would be bestowed upon two distinguished writers, Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya and renowned Urdu poet and lyricist Gulzar.

This marks the second time the award is being presented for Sanskrit and the fifth time for Urdu, highlighting the richness and diversity of Indian literature.

What is the Jnanpith Award?

• The Jnanpith Award, initiated in 1961 and first conferred in 1965, stands as a testament to literary excellence in India. It is an annual accolade recognizing an author’s outstanding contribution to literature.
• Both English and other Indian languages are considered, emphasizing the linguistic diversity of India. However, eligibility is confined to Indian citizens, and the award is not granted posthumously.
• Bharatiya Jnanpith, founded in 1944 by Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain and Rama Jain, is the esteemed institution presenting the award.
• Headquartered in New Delhi, it plays a pivotal role in promoting literature and culture through various initiatives, including awards, publications, fellowships, and research.

Cash Prize and Recognition:

• Recipients of the Jnanpith Award are honored with a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh, a statue of Vagdevi, and a citation, symbolizing the acknowledgment of their literary accomplishments.

Contributions of Gulzar and Jagadguru Rambhadracharya:

Gulzar:

• Born Sampuran Singh Kalra on August 18, 1934, in Dina, Jhelum district, Gulzar is a luminary in both cinema and literature.

• Recognized as one of the finest Urdu poets, Gulzar has received accolades such as the Sahitya Akademi Award (2002), Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2013), Padma Bhushan (2004), and National Film Awards.
• His innovative contribution includes the creation of ‘Triveni,’ a non-mukaffa poem consisting of three lines.
• The song “Jai Ho” from the film “Slumdog Millionaire” earned him an Oscar in 2009 and a Grammy in 2010.

Jagadguru Rambhadracharya:

• A polyglot and Hindu spiritual leader, Jagadguru Rambhadracharya was born in 1950 in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh.

• Proficient in 22 languages, he is a prolific poet and writer in Sanskrit, Hindi, Awadhi, and Maithili, with over 240 books to his credit. He was honored with the Padma Vibhushan in 2015.
• Rambhadracharya is the founder of Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh, a leading publisher of Hindu religious literature.
• As one of the four Jagadguru Ramanandacharyas of the Ramanandi Sampradaya since 1982, he holds a revered position in the Hindu sect, emphasizing the worship of Rama and Vishnu.