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| Celebrating Literary Excellence: The Jnanpith Award 2023 |
Introduction:
The Jnanpith Award, established in 1961, stands as a beacon of recognition for outstanding contributions to Indian literature across diverse languages. On February 18th, 2024, the Jnanpith Selection Board announced the joint recipients of the prestigious Jnanpith Award for the year 2023: the renowned Indian poet, lyricist, and filmmaker Gulzar, alongside the eminent Sanskrit scholar and educator Jagadguru Rambhadracharya.
About the Jnanpith Award:
The Jnanpith Award symbolizes a lifelong dedication to enriching Indian literature. It comprises a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh, a citation plaque, and a bronze replica of goddess Saraswati. Notable past laureates, including luminaries like Mahadevi Verma, Subramania Bharathi, and Amrita Pritam, have contributed significantly to the literary landscape.
Gulzar: Icon of Urdu Poetry:
Gulzar, a stalwart of Urdu poetry and lyricism, boasts an illustrious career spanning five decades. His accolades include five Indian National Film Awards, an Academy Award, and a Grammy Award. Among his many honors are the Sahitya Akademi Award – Hindi, Padma Bhushan, and Dadasaheb Phalke Award. With over 300 Bollywood song lyrics and numerous film scripts to his credit, Gulzar remains an iconic figure in Indian cinema.
Jagadguru Rambhadracharya: Champion of Sanskrit:
Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, based in Chitrakoot, is a prolific author and advocate for Sanskrit. His extensive body of work, comprising over 120 books, spans spirituality, philosophy, and language. Notably, he founded the Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University, catering exclusively to disabled students. His receipt of the Jnanpith Award underscores his dedication to promoting India's classical language heritage.