Quick Summary
Sahitya Akademi Award is a prestigious Indian literary award given annually to authors for exceptional literary work.
The award is given across 24 languages, including Hindi, English, Bengali, Tamil, and more.
It has recognized works by authors such as Rabindranath Tagore, Vikram Seth, and Ruskin Bond.
The Sahitya Akademi Award is one of the most prestigious awards in the world of Indian literature. Established in 1954 by the Sahitya Akademi, India’s national academy of letters, this award recognizes outstanding writers for their contributions to Indian literature in various languages. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about the Sahitya Akademi Award, including its history, categories, nomination process, and a list of past winners.
The Sahitya Akademi Award is a literary honor presented by the Sahitya Akademi, India’s national academy of literature, to authors of outstanding books of literary merit. The award recognizes authors for their work in one of India’s 24 official languages, with the primary goal of promoting Indian literature.
Attribute | Information |
---|---|
Award Name | Sahitya Akademi Awards |
Date Established | 12 March 1954 |
First Awarded In | 1955 |
Languages Covered | 24 Languages |
Established By | Government of India |
Organizational Type | Autonomous Organisation |
The government of India officially introduced Sahitya Akademi on 12 March 1954. The purpose behind the setup of this institution was simple. It aimed to recognize and award notable literary works. The government believed that doing so could be quite helpful in promoting literary activities in the country. The Indian government also ensured that the literary work of all languages gets recognition so that no one feels discriminated against. The Akademi has given 24 awards to 24 different languages to date. This is done every year to promote reading habits.
Sahitya Akademi has its roots tracing back to the British era in India. In 1944, the US government accepted the proposal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal. It aimed to set up a National Cultural Trust to promote regional cultural activities. This society was designed to consist of three Academies. The Academy of Letters was also a part of those three Academies.
Even after Independence, the consensus among the government was regarding establishing three Academies. One for letters, another for visual arts, and a third society for dance, drama, and music. Discussions followed on setting up these cultural societies. The government was doubtful about their autonomy and structure. However, after some discussion, the Government of India established the National Academy of Letters in 1954. This was later known as Sahitya Akademi.
Furthermore, the government decided it might be its duty to establish these societies, but once established, they can function as autonomous bodies.
The Sahitya Akademi headquarters are in New Delhi, at Ravindra Bhawan, 35 Ferozeshah Road. The head office building of Sahitya Akademi looks quite elegant, and they built it in 1961. They constructed the building to commemorate the birth centenary of Rabindranath Tagore.
Also, this building is home to all three national academies. The three National Academies of India are:
The Sahitya Akademi headquarters also works as a regional office and manages publications in English, Hindi, Dogri, etc.
The important authorities of the institution are:
The general functioning and policies of the organization are discussed here.
The Executive Board plays a crucial role in adding any new language, aside from those already listed.
The finance committee consists of a financial advisor, members nominated by the government, a vice-president of the Akademi, an executive council member, and a general council member. They are responsible for the financial aspect of the akademi.
The government of India appoints the financial advisor, and the executive board of the Akademi appoints the secretary.
The criteria for selecting a Sahitya Akademi Award winner are as follows:
The Sahitya Akademi Award is one of the most prestigious literary awards in India, conferred annually by the Sahitya Akademi (National Academy of Letters), which is an organization established by the Government of India in 1954 to promote literature in Indian languages.
Here are the key aspects of the significance of the Sahitya Akademi Award:
The Sahitya Akademi first recognized its inaugural award in 1954. When the award was initially launched, it honored writers with a prize amount of INR 5,000. However, with changing times and needs, the amount kept on increasing. The winners of this award are rewarded with a prize money of INR 1,00,000 from 2009.
However, this prize amount was increased several times even before 2009. In 1983, it was enhanced to Rs. 10,000. In 1988, it was Rs. 25,000. Furthermore, it also witnessed an increase in 2003 when the winning amount was Rs. 50,000.
The Sahitya Akademi Award, established in 1954. It recognizes outstanding writing in 24 languages, including Hindi and English. The award has separate categories for each language. The first recipient in Hindi was Makhanlal Chaturvedi in 1955, while R.K. Narayan received the first award in English in 1960.
Language | Title and Genre | Author |
Assamese | Bana Phul (Poetry) | Jatindranath Dowerah |
Bengali | Shreshtha Kavita (Poetry) | Jibanananda Das |
Bodo (since 2005) | Jiuni Mwgthang Bisombi Arw Aroj (Poetry) | Mangalshingh Hazowary |
Dogri (since 1970) | Nila Ambar Kale Badal (Short Stories) | Narendra Khajuria |
English (1960) | The Guide (Novel) | R.K Narayan |
Gujarati | Mahadev Bhaini Dairy (Memoirs) | Mahadev Desai |
Hindi | Him- Tarangini (Poetry) | Makhanlal Chaturvedi |
Kannada | Sri Ramayana Darshanam (Epic) | Kuvempu (K.V Puttapa) |
Kashmiri | Sumran (Poetry) | Zinda Kaul ‘Masterji’ |
Konkani | Himalayant (Travelogue) | Ravindra Kelekar |
Maithili (since 1966) | Mithila Baibhav (Philosophical Treatise) | Yasodhar Jha |
Malayalam | Bhasha Sahitya Charitram (History of Literature) | R. Narayana Panikkar |
Manipuri | Imphal Amasung Magi Nungshiki Phibham (Novel) | Pacha Meitai |
Marathi | Vaidik Samskriticha Vikas (Cultural History) | Tarkeetha Shastri Laxman Joshi |
Nepali (since 1977) | Nepali Upanyas Ka Adharharu (Literary Criticism) | Indra Bahadur Rai |
Odia | Amrutara Santan (Novel) | Gopinath Mohanty |
Punjabi | Mere Saniya Jio (Poetry) | Bhaivir Singh |
Rajasthani (since 1974) | Batan Ri Phulwari Vol. X (Folk Tales) | Vijay Dan Detha |
Sanskrit | History of Dharma Shastra Vol. IV (Research) | P.V Kane |
Santhali (since 2005) | Bhabna (Poetry) | Jadumai Besra |
Sindhi (since 1959) | Kanwar (Biography) | Tirth Basant |
Tamil | Tamil Inbam (Essays) | R.P Sethu Pillai |
Telugu | Andhrula Sanghike Charitamu (Social History) | Suravaram Pratap Reddy |
Urdu | Maal aur Mashiyat (Philosophical Theatre) | Zafar Hussain Khan |
The Sahitya Akademi Award for English literature is conferred annually to recognize exceptional works of literary merit in the English language by Indian authors. It has been awarded to authors across various genres, including fiction, poetry, and biography.
Here is a list of Sahitya Akademi Award winners for English in the category of Biography:
The Sahitya Akademi has already announced the winners for Yuva Purashkar and Bal Purashkar for 2023. Let’s have a quick look.
Language | Title and Genre | Author |
Assamese | Jaal Kota Jui (Short Stories) | Nayanjyoti Sarma |
Bengali | Deraje Halud Ful, Gatajanma (Poetry) | Sutapa Chakraborty |
Bodo | Saikhlum (Short Stories) | Self Made Rani Baro |
Dogri | Ik Rang Tere Range Chaa (Poetry) | Heena Choudhary |
English | Homeless: Growing up Lesbian and Dyslexic in India (Memoir) | K. Vaishali |
Gujarati | …To Tame Raaji (Ghazal) | Rinku Rathod |
Hindi | Smritiyon Ke Beech Ghiri Hai Prithvi (Poetry) | Gaurav Pandey |
Kannada | Zero Balance (Poetry) | Shruthi B. R. |
Kashmiri | Aene Baedas (Articles) | Mohd. Ashraf Ziya |
Konkani | Pedanyacha Samaaram (Essays) | Adwait Salgaonkar |
Maithili | Nadi Ghati Sabhyata (Poetry) | Rinki Jha Rishika |
Malayalam | Meeshakkallan (Short Stories) | Shyamkrishnan R. |
Manipuri | Ashiba Turel (Poetry) | Waikhom Chingkheinganba |
Marathi | Usvan (Novel) | Devidas Saudagar |
Nepali | Canvas Ko Xitiz (Poetry) | Suraj Chapagain |
Odia | Hu Baieaa (Short-Stories) | Sanjay Kumar Panda |
Punjabi | Khat Jo Likhno Reh Gaye (Poetry) | Randhir |
Rajasthani | Sudh Sodhun Jag Angane (Poetry) | Sonali Suthar |
Sanskrit | Award in Sanskrit will be declared at a later date. | – |
Santhali | Jangbaha (Poetry) | Anjan Karmakar |
Sindhi | Paper Parya (Articles) | Geeta Pradeep Rupani |
Tamil | Vishnu Vandhar (Short Stories) | Lokesh Raghuraman |
Telugu | Dhaavlo (Short Stories) | Ramesh Karthik Nayak |
Urdu | Stepney (Short-Stories) | Javed Amber Misbahi |
In addition to this, the Sahitya Akademi Award 2024 Winners list for Bal Purashkar was also announced. Some popular names on the list are Rothindronath Goswami, Shayamalkanti Das, Pratima Nandi Narzaree, Balwan Singh Jamoria, Sudha Murty, and more. They were awarded for their works in Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, and English language respectively.
Language | Title and Genre | Author |
Assamese | Biponna Bismoi Khel (Novel) | Ranju Hazarika |
Bengali | Mahidadur Antidote (Novel) | Dipanwita Roy |
Bodo | Buhuma Boynibw (Poetry) | Virgin Jekova Machahary |
Dogri | Kukdu Kadoon (Poetry) | Bishan Singh ‘Dardi’ |
English | The Blue Horse and Other Amazing Animals from Indian History (Historical Fiction) | Nandini Sengupta |
Gujarati | Hasati Haveli (Stories) | Gira Pinakin Bhatt |
Hindi | 51 Baal Kahaniyan (Stories) | Devender Kumar |
Kannada | Choomantrayyana Kathegalu (Short Stories) | Krishnamurthy Biligere |
Kashmiri | Sone Gobrew (Poetry) | Muzaffar Hussain Dilbar |
Konkani | Ek Ashil’lem Bayul (Novel) | Harsha Sadguru Shetye |
Maithili | Anar (Short Stories) | Narayanjee |
Malayalam | Algorithangalude Nadu (Novel) | Unni Ammayambalam |
Manipuri | Malem Atiya (Novel) | Kshetrimayum Subadani |
Marathi | Samsher Aani Bhootbangala (Novel) | Bharat Sasane |
Nepali | Desh Ra Fuchhey (Poetry) | Basanta Thapa |
Odia | Gapa Kalika (Short Stories) | Manas Ranjan Samal |
Punjabi | Mai Jalianwala Bagh Bolda Haan (Play) | Kuldeep Singh Deep |
Rajasthani | Mhari Dhani (Poetry) | Prahlad Singh ‘Jhorda’ |
Sanskrit | Bubhukshitah Kakah (Short Stories) | Harshdev Madhav |
Santhali | Miru Arang (Poetry) | Dugai Tudu |
Sindhi | Dostan ji Dosti (Stories) | Lal Hotchandani ‘Lachaar’ |
Tamil | Thanviyin Piranthanal (Stories) | Yuma Vasuki |
Telugu | Maya Lokam (Novel) | P. Chandrashekhar Azad |
Urdu | Barf Ka Des Antarctica (Short Stories) | Shamsul Islam Farooqi |
In addition to this, the Akademi also has two other awards called the Bhasha Samman Award and Prize for Translation.
To know more about the winners of the Sahitya Akademi Award, let’s have a look at the winners list from the years 2022 and 2021.
Language | Title and Genre | Author |
Assamese | Bhool Satya (short stories) | Manoj Kumar Goswami |
Bengali | Birbal (Novel) | Tapan Bandopadhyay |
Bodo | Sansrini Modira (Poetry) | Rashmi Choudhary |
Dogri | CheevRoopak (Drama) | Veena Gupta |
English | All The Lives We Never Lived (Novel) | Anuradha Roy |
Gujarati | Gher Jatan (Autobiographical Essays) | Gulam Mohammad Shaikh |
Hindi | Tumadi Ke Shabd (Poetry) | Badri Narayan |
Kannada | Bahutvada Bhaarata Mattu Bouddha Taatvikate (Collection of articles) | Mudnakudu Chinnaswamy |
Kashmiri | Zael Dab (Literary Criticism) | Farooq Fayaz |
Konkani | Amrutvel (Novel) | Maya Anil Kharangate |
Maithili | Pen Drive Me Prithvi (Poetry) | Ajit Azad |
Malayalam | Ashaantee Seethayanam (Literary Criticism) | M. Thomas Mathew |
Manipuri | Leironnung (Poetry) | Koijam Shantibala |
Marathi | Ujavya Sondechya Bahulya (Novel) | Praveen Dashrath Bandekar |
Nepali | Saino (Drama) | K.B Nepali |
Odia | Dayanadi (Poetry) | Gayatribala Panda |
Punjabi | Main Aynghosh Nahi (Short Stories) | Sukhjit |
Rajasthani | Alekhun Amba (Play) | Kamal Ranga |
Sanskrit | Deepmanikyam (Poetry) | Janardan Prasad Pandey ‘Mani’ |
Santhali | Sabarnaka Balire Sanan Panjay (Poetry) | Kajli Soren (Jagannath Soren) |
Sindhi | Sindhi Sahit Jo Mukhatasar Ithihas (Literary History) | Kanhaiyalal Lekhwani |
Tamil | Kaala Paani (Novel) | M. Rajendran |
Telugu | Manodharmaparagam (Novel) | Madhuranthakam Narendra |
Urdu | Khwab Saraab (Novel) | Anis Ashfaq |
Language | Title and Genre | Author |
Assamese | Iyat Ekhan Aaronya Asil (Novel) | Anuradha Sharma Pujari |
Bengali | Mitjafar O Ananya Natale (Play) | Bratya Basu |
Bodo | Khora Sayao Are Himalay (Poetry) | Mwdai Gahai |
Dogri | Name Tunnel (Short Stories) | Raj Rahi |
English | Things to Leave Behind (Novel) | Namita Gokhale |
Gujarati | Gandh Manjusha (Poetry) | Yagnesh Dave |
Hindi | Samrat Ashok (Play) | Daya Prakash Sinha |
Kannada | Gandhi Kathana (Biography) | D.S Nagabhushana |
Kashmiri | Tawazun ( Criticism) | Wali Mohd. Aseer Kashtawari |
Konkani | Raktachandan (Poetry) | Sanjiv Verenkar |
Maithili | Pangu (Novel) | Jagdish Prasad Mandal |
Malayalam | Hrudyaragangal (Autobiography) | George Onakkoor |
Manipuri | Manipurida Punshi Warigee Sahitya (Criticism) | Thokcham Ibhohanbi Singh |
Marathi | Baluchya Awashthantarachi Diary (Short Stories) | Kiran Gaurav |
Nepali | Usha Anirudha (Epic Poetry) | Chhabilal Upadhyay |
Odia | Sarijaithiba Apera (Poetry) | Hrushikesh Mallick |
Punjabi | Sullan Da Salan (Short Stories) | Khalid Hussain |
Rajasthani | Mugtee (Poetry) | Meethesh Nirmohi |
Sanskrit | Srijati Shankhnadam Kil Kavita (Poetry) | Vindeshwariprasad Mishr ‘Vinay’ |
Santhali | Mane Rena Arhang (Short Stories) | Niranjan Hansada |
Sindhi | Nena Ninadakhra (Poetry) | Arjun Chawla |
Tamil | Civappuk Kazuttu Tan Oru Paccaip Paravau (Short Stories) | Ambai |
Telugu | Vallankitaalam (Poetry) | Gorati Venkanna |
The Sahitya Akademi Award holds significance for aspirants aiming to crack competitive exams in India, particularly the UPSC Civil Services Exam. Here’s why:
The prestigious Sahitya Akademi Awards have been celebrating writers and literature for a long time. Over the years, it has honored several renowned and underrated writers as well. This award has also been of great support for the regional literature of the country. Thus, it won’t be wrong to say that ever since its establishment, the academy has been doing a splendid job in preserving as well as promoting the linguistic and cultural diversity of India.
The Sahitya Akademi was established in 1954.
The headquarters of Sahitya Akademi is located in Delhi.
The Sahitya Akademi gives a total of 24 awards every year.
The first Sahitya Akademi Award winner for Hindi was Makhanlal Chaturvedi in 1955 for his poetry collection Him Tarangini, celebrating literary excellence.
Anuradha Roy won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2022. Her English novel All the Lives We Never Lived was chosen for the award.
Bratya Basu, a Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal’s Education Minister, won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2021 for his Bengali play Mirjafar.
Amrita Pritam was the first female recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award, which she won in 1956 for her work. The Bhartiya Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary honor, recognized her in 1982 for her work Kagaj te Canvas (Paper and Canvas).
The Government of India developed the concept of Sahitya Akademi.
Also Read:-
The Bharat Ratna Award Winners: Year Wise List
Got a question on this topic?
Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.