Literary Honours in India - Art and Culture Notes
Apart from Sahitya Akademi Award, there are some other literary honours in India such as Jnanpith Award, Saraswati Samman, etc. In this article, we will have a look at the important literary honours in India, which will be useful for UPSC IAS Exam preparation.
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Other Literary Honours in India
Sahitya Akademi Fellowships
- The prestigious 'Sahitya Akademi Fellowship' is also offered by the Sahitya Akademi.
- This is the Akademi's highest honour, and it is given to 'Fellows and Honourary Fellows' who are chosen solely for their extraordinary contribution to the literary arts.
- Being named a Sahitya Akademi fellow is a greater honour than obtaining the Sahitya Akademi award.
Bhasha Samman
- The Sahitya Akademi bestows Basha Samman.
- Every year, the Akademi selects writers who have contributed significantly to Indian languages other than the 24 major languages included by the Sahitya Akademi award, as well as to classical and medieval literature.
- A plaque and a monetary reward of Rs. 1 lakh are included in the Bhasha Samman.
Translation Awards
- The Sahitya Akademi also awards Translation Awards to people who have attempted to translate great works from other languages into the 24 main languages.
- Those who strive to translate ancient and medieval literature are accorded special consideration.
- The award includes a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 as well as a plaque.
Jnanpith Award
- The Jnanpith Award (Seat of Knowledge) is granted for excellent literary achievement.
- The Bharatiya Jnanpith, a trust managed by the Jain family notable for founding the newspaper The Times of India, established in 1961.
- It is awarded to Indian nationals who write literature in one of the 22 languages specified in the Indian Constitution's Schedule VIII, as well as English.
- The winner receives a bronze statue of Goddess Saraswati in addition to a certificate and a monetary reward of Rs. 11 lakh.
- This honour isn't presented posthumously.
- Remember that the Jnanpith Award is offered in 23 languages (22 + English).
Jnanpith Award
Saraswati Samman
- The Saraswati Samman is an annual prize given in any of the 22 Indian languages mentioned in Schedule VIII of the Indian Constitution for exceptional prose or poetry literary works.
- It is considered one of India's finest literary honours and is named after an Indian goddess of learning.
- The K. K. Birla Foundation established the Saraswati Samman in 1991.
- It comprises a cheque for Rs. 15 lakh, as well as a citation and a plaque.
- Candidates are chosen from among those who have published literary works in the last ten years.
Vyas Samman
- The Vyas Samman is a literary prize that was first given out in 1991.
- The K. K. Birla Foundation awards it every year, and it comes with a monetary prize of Rs. 2,50,000.
- The literary work must be in Hindi and published within the last ten years to be eligible for the prize.
| Other Relevant Links | |
|---|---|
| Bharat Ratna | Padma Awards |
| National Film Awards | Dadasaheb Phalke Awards |
Conclusion
The major literary awards in India such as Jnanpith Award, Saraswati Samman, etc honours the rich legacy of Indian literature.
FAQs
Question: What are the major literary honours in India?
Answer: In India, several prestigious literary awards recognize outstanding contributions to literature. Some of the most notable literary honours include:
- Bharatiya Jnanpith Award: The highest literary honour in India, awarded annually for an author's outstanding contribution to literature in any Indian language.
- Sahitya Akademi Award: Given by the Sahitya Akademi (National Academy of Letters), this award recognizes writers in 24 languages for their literary excellence.
- Raja Rao Award: Recognizes the lifetime achievement of writers in the field of literature.
- Padma Awards: While primarily recognising excellence in public service, the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awards also honor individuals for outstanding contributions to literature.
Question: Who is eligible for the Bharatiya Jnanpith Award?
Answer: The Bharatiya Jnanpith Award is conferred upon authors who have made outstanding contributions to Indian literature in any of the Indian languages. The award is open to writers of Indian nationality, irrespective of their age or literary genre. The recipient is selected by a jury consisting of prominent writers, scholars, and other distinguished persons from the field of literature. It is a lifetime achievement award for excellence in literary works.
Question: What are the criteria for the Sahitya Akademi Award?
Answer: The Sahitya Akademi Award is given annually for literary works of high quality in 24 Indian languages. The selection is based on the originality, depth, and artistic merit of the work. Authors are chosen for their contributions to literature in the form of novels, poetry, plays, short stories, or essays. The award is intended to promote Indian literature and highlight the diversity of India's literary heritage.
Question: What is the significance of the Padma Awards in the literary field?
Answer: The Padma Awards, which include Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, are among the highest civilian honours in India. While they are primarily given for excellence in various fields, including literature, they also recognize lifetime achievements. The Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awards are often bestowed upon prominent authors, poets, and literary figures for their exceptional contributions to literature and the arts, reflecting the nation's appreciation of cultural enrichment.
Question: How has the recognition of literature evolved in India over time?
Answer: The recognition of literature in India has evolved significantly from the colonial era to the present. Under British rule, Indian authors were often marginalized, but post-independence, the government began to recognize the literary heritage of the country through formal awards like the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Bharatiya Jnanpith Award. In recent decades, Indian authors have received international recognition, with awards like the Booker Prize and Commonwealth Writers' Prize. The increasing recognition of regional languages and the growing emphasis on translating regional works into English have broadened the scope of literary honours in India.
MCQs
1. Which of the following is the highest literary honour in India?
A) Sahitya Akademi Award
B) Padma Bhushan
C) Bharatiya Jnanpith Award
D) Booker Prize
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
Explanation: The Bharatiya Jnanpith Award is the highest literary honour in India, conferred for lifetime achievement in literature in any Indian language.
2. Which language is not eligible for the Sahitya Akademi Award?
A) Sanskrit
B) Hindi
C) Tamil
D) English
Answer: (D) See the Explanation
Explanation: The Sahitya Akademi Award is given for literary works in 24 Indian languages, but English is not one of the languages eligible for this award.
3. Which of the following is not a literary award in India?
A) Sahitya Akademi Award
B) Bharat Ratna
C) Bharatiya Jnanpith Award
D) Gyanpeeth Award
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: The Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian award, but it is not specifically for literary excellence. The other options are all related to literature.
4. Who was the first recipient of the Bharatiya Jnanpith Award?
A) Harivansh Rai Bachchan
B) Gyanananda Thakur
C) Shankar Pandya
D) Ravindranath Tagore
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: The first recipient of the Bharatiya Jnanpith Award was Gyanananda Thakur, a prominent author in Bengali literature.
5. What does the Padma Bhushan award recognize?
A) Excellence in public service
B) Excellence in literature and the arts
C) Excellence in education
D) Excellence in sports
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: The Padma Bhushan award is given for distinguished service in various fields, including literature and the arts.
GS Mains Questions and Model Answers
Q1: Discuss the significance of literary awards in promoting Indian literature.
Answer: Literary awards in India, such as the Bharatiya Jnanpith Award and the Sahitya Akademi Award, play a vital role in promoting and preserving Indian literature. These awards not only recognize the achievements of individual authors but also highlight the rich diversity of India’s literary traditions, from regional languages to modern forms of writing. By honoring authors who have made significant contributions, these awards encourage more individuals to engage in creative writing and preserve cultural heritage. Furthermore, they help elevate Indian literature on the global stage and encourage cross-cultural exchange.
Q2: What impact has the recognition of regional languages had on Indian literature?
Answer: The recognition of regional languages in India through prestigious literary awards like the Sahitya Akademi Award has had a profound impact on Indian literature. It has allowed literature in diverse languages to flourish and be recognized nationally. By including regional languages, these awards have brought attention to the cultural richness of different regions, fostering a sense of pride in local heritage. This recognition has also contributed to the preservation of regional languages and promoted multilingualism, which is a hallmark of India’s literary landscape.
Q3: How can India further enhance its literary honours to support emerging writers?
Answer: India can enhance its literary honours by establishing more inclusive and diversified awards for emerging writers across various genres and languages. Promoting young authors and independent writers through literary grants and opportunities for international recognition can help develop new talent. Additionally, establishing more regional-level awards would provide greater visibility to writers from underrepresented areas and languages. Encouraging collaboration between writers and literary organizations will also strengthen the literary ecosystem in India.
Previous Year Questions on Literary Honours
1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020:
Question: Who among the following was awarded the Bharat Ratna for his contribution to literature?
A) Jawaharlal Nehru
B) Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
C) C. Rajagopalachari
D) Rabindranath Tagore
Answer: (D)
Explanation: Rabindranath Tagore was awarded the Bharat Ratna in recognition of his contributions to literature, particularly his poetry and songs.
2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1):
Question: Evaluate the contribution of literary awards to the promotion of Indian literature and culture.
Answer: Literary awards have significantly contributed to the recognition and promotion of Indian literature by acknowledging the creative achievements of authors across various languages. These awards not only encourage writers to engage with India’s diverse cultural narratives but also bring regional literature into the mainstream. Furthermore, they serve as platforms for showcasing the global relevance of Indian literary works, promoting India’s soft power and cultural diplomacy. By recognizing excellence in literature, these awards foster national pride and ensure the preservation of India’s cultural heritage.
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