Renowned Hindi author Vinod Kumar Shukla has been honored with the prestigious 59th Jnanpith Award, marking a significant milestone as he becomes the first writer from Chhattisgarh to receive this esteemed accolade.
At 88 years old, Shukla stands out as a celebrated short-story writer, poet, and essayist, recognized as one of the foremost contemporary literary voices in Hindi. He is now the 12th Hindi writer to be bestowed with this exceptional award.
The Jnanpith Award includes a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh, a bronze statue of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, along with an official citation.
Shukla expressed his profound happiness upon receiving this distinguished honor, admitting it was an unexpected yet joyous moment in his literary journey. “This is a very big award. I never imagined receiving such recognition,” he stated. “I have never really focused on awards; I was often encouraged by others who believed I deserved the Jnanpith Award.”
The Jnanpith Selection Committee, led by a prominent storyteller, finalized Shukla’s name during their meeting. They acknowledged his exceptional contributions to Hindi literature and his unique writing style.
This recognition underscores Shukla’s impact on the literary landscape, especially his deep emotional narratives and distinctive linguistic fabric. He previously received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1999 for his acclaimed work “Deewar Mein Ek Khirkee Rahati Thi.”
Some of his notable works include the novel “Naukar ki Kameez,” which was later adapted into a film, and the poetry collection “Sab Kuch Hona Bacha Rahega.”
For aspiring writers, Shukla emphasized the importance of perseverance: “Writing is not a small task. If you are writing, keep writing. Have confidence in yourself, and pay attention to feedback after your work is published.”
Established in 1961, the Jnanpith Award was first awarded to Malayalam poet G Sankara Kurup in 1965 for his poetry anthology “Odakkuzhal.” This award exclusively honors Indian authors for their contributions to literature.
