Sahitya Akademi

Sahitya Akademi is an Indian institution dedicated to the promotion of literature in the languages of India. It was founded on 12 March 1954 by the government of India and is supported by, though not affiliated with, the Ministry of Culture.

The organization’s headquarters are in New Delhi, and it has regional offices in Kolkata, Bangalore, and Mumbai. The Akademi also publishes books and periodicals devoted to literary criticism, research, and other writings on Indian literature.

Insides about Sahitya Akademi 

It awards several prizes for outstanding works every year; these have included the Sahitya Akademi Award (for overall contributions to Indian literature), Yuva Puraskar (for young writers), Bal Sahitya Puraskar (for children’s literature), and Translation Prizes.

The Akademi has also held numerous national and international seminars, workshops, symposia, and conferences on various aspects of literary activity.

The institution’s work is guided by a General Council consisting of litterateurs from all over India. The Akademi functions through a Secretary who is supported by an Advisory Board.

The current president of Sahitya Akademi is Chandrashekhar Kambara, a poet, and essayist in Kannada. It can be said that the Akademi is one of the most important literary institutions in India.

Since its inception, the Sahitya Akademi has played a pivotal role in promoting Indian literature. 

He has been awarded some of the most prestigious prizes in the country, including the Sahitya Akademi Award. The Akademi has also held numerous national and international seminars, workshops, symposia, and conferences on various aspects of literary activity.

Who Gets Sahitya Akademi Award?

There are many literary awards in India but the Sahitya Akademi Award is considered to be the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a writer. It is given by the Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of Letters, to recognize outstanding works of literature written in any of the 24 languages it supports. The award was first given out in 1954 and since then, has been given annually.

The award consists of a cash prize of Rs. 100,000, a citation, and a bronze replica of an inscription by the 12th-century poet Basava.

The selection process for the award begins at the district level where each district has a three-member jury that recommends names to the state-level jury. The state-level jury then forwards its recommendations to the Sahitya Akademi’s executive board, which makes the final selection.

The award is given out at a ceremony held in New Delhi, where the winner is presented with a citation and a bronze replica of an inscription by the 12th-century poet Basava. The cash prize is awarded later.

Past winners of the award include some of India’s most acclaimed writers such as Amitav Ghosh, Arundhati Roy, Mahasweta Devi, Mulk Raj Anand, Nayantara Sehgal, O. V. Vijayan, Paresh Nath Malik, Sachin Kundalkar, and Uttar Pradesh-born Bihari writer Phanishwar Nath ‘Renu’.

Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award

Kendra Sahitya Akademi award is an annual award given by the Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of Letters, to recognize Indian writers for their outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the 24 major Indian languages. The award was established in 1954.

This award also aims to promote literary activity in the languages of India and to recognize new trends.

Kendra Sahitya Akademi awardees are chosen by a jury of eminent writers who evaluate nominations received from members of the Akademi and other literary figures.

The jury’s recommendations are submitted to the executive board, which selects the final recipients.

Sahitya Akademi Fellowships and Yuva Puraskar are also given out along with the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award.

Every year, on January 26, Republic Day, these awards are announced and conferred by the President of India at a special function at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The award consists of an engraved copper-plated silver medal, a citation, and a cash prize of Rs. 100,000.

Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award is one of the most prestigious literary awards in India. It is given in recognition of an author’s outstanding contribution to Indian literature. It also aims to promote literary activity in the languages of India and to recognize new trends.

Conclusion 

Sahitya Akademi is an autonomous body working under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It is responsible for promoting literary activities in India through various means such as organizing workshops and seminars, providing financial assistance to literary organizations and institutions, and publishing books. The Academy was established on 15 December 1954 by a resolution of the Union Cabinet.