There are the really big book awards. We know the Booker prize, we know the Nobel, the Pulitzer. Closer home, any list of award-winning Indian books will include there’s the glamourous JCB, and to some extent the DSC and the Sahitya Akademi awards.
But India, with its many languages, has a multitude of smaller awards which recognize literary talent. We wanted to try and capture as many as possible. Here goes:
MT Vasudevan Nair, renowned Malayalam writer, receives the 2019 Puthoor Award
Named after Malayalam novelist Unnikrishnan Puthoor, the Puthoor Award was bestowed upon Nair on April 2, 2019, Puthoor’s fifth death anniversary with a bronze sculpture made by artist JR Prasad and an amount of 11,111 rupees.
Kashmiri poet Naji Manawar honoured with Bal Sahitya Purskar of 2019
Bal Sahitya Purskar of 2019, Sahitya Akademi’s presitigious children’s literature award was felicitated to Naji Manawar, Kashmiri historian, writer and poet, at Shopian, his native place.
Ezhuthachan Puraskaram 2019 awarded to P Sachidanandan
Kerala Sahitya Akademi’s highest literary award, Ezhuthachan Puraskaram 2019, was given to P Sachidanandan (alias Anand) with a citation by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and rupees five lakh.
Shubhangi Swarup wins Sushila Devi Literature Award
In the Best Book of Fiction Written By A Woman category, Latitudes of Longing written by Shubhangi Swarup won the Sushila Devi Literature Award. This award gives a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh. This was not a surprise, the book was on several long and short lists of awards through the year.
Dr. Samyuktha wins the Wiley Library Award
Pondicherry University librarian R Samyuktha bags the ‘innovative woman leader library award’ from American multinational publishing company, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. for her contribution to the field of library and information science.
Sandesha Awards 2020 bestowed upon seven candidates, including writer Boluvaru Muhammad Kunhi
Sandesha Foundation for Culture and Education awards were given with a citation, momento and cash prize of Rs. 25, 000 each to writer Boluvaru Muhammad Kunhi, Valli Vagga, Shiv Kumar, Ms Helen D’Cruz, Dr K S Pavithra, Justin D’Souza, and Vincent Prakash Carlo.
Dr Vasireddy Sitadevi Memorial Award conferred on Jalandhara
Writer Jalandhara received the Vasireddy Sitadevi Memorial Award from film director K Vishwanath at his residence.
U A Khader honoured with Mathrubhumi Literary Award 2019
The Mathrubhumi Literary Award comes with a felicitation letter, a sculpture and a purse of 3 lakh rupees. It was awarded to U A Khader, well-known novelist and short story writer.
Renowned Hindi poet from Jammu and Kashmir conferred with National Sauhaard Samman
Hindi writer and poet Dr Agnishekhar of Jammu and Kashmir, received the National Sauhaard Samman from Dr Hriday Narayan Dikshit, Assembly Speaker of UP on the Foundation Day of Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan. The award was bestowed as recognition of his contribution to contemporary Hindi literature with a cheque of Rs. 2 lakh, a momento and a shawl.
Vishnupuram Literary Award 2019 awarded to Tamil Poet Abhi
Tamil Poet Abhi was bestowed with the Vishnupuram award, which was established to recognize the contribution made by senior Tamil writers. The award comes with Rs. 1 lakh and a citation.
‘Akashdeep Sanman’ conferred on writers Gynanranjan and Bhalchandra Nemade
Noted Hindi writer Gynanranjan and Marathi litterateur Bhalchandra Nemade received the Akashdeep Sanman awards which comprise a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh. These awards are instituted by Amar Ujala, a media house.
Amitabha Bagchi’s ‘ Half The Night Is Gone‘ bags the $25,000 DSC Prize 2019
At the IME Nepal Literature Festival, Amitabha Bagchi received the DSC Prize 2019 for South Asian Literature from Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, Pradeep Gyawali.
Padmaprabha Literary Award 2019 given to Santhosh Echikkanam
Instituted by the Padmaprabha Foundation, the Padmaprabha Literary Award bestows a felicitation letter, a sapphire-studded plaque, and a cash prize of Rs. 75, 000. It was awarded to Malayalam screenwriter and short story writer, Santhosh Echikkanam.
Bodo Writers’ Academy confers many awards on Bodo Writers’ Day
The Bodo Writers’ Academy announces the recipients of its various awards – Nimati Mochahary Aspiring Writer Award 2019 to Sushmita Basumtari, Asha Rani Mochahary Literary Award, 2019 to Aran Raja Basumatari, and Ajha Sukumar Basumatari Literary Award 2019 to Nandeswar Daimari.
Samskara Arts Society selects Dr. M. Leelavathy as winner for its Literary Award
Samskara Arts Society’s Literary Award 2019 was conferred on writer M. Leelavathy. The award was founded as a tribute to P. K. Sukumara Kurup and comprises a bronze sculpture, felicitation letter and a purse of Rs 25,000.
Author of ‘Heart: A History’, Sandeep Jauhar makes the 2019 shortlist for Wellcome Book Prize
An annual award for books published about any aspect of medicine, the Wellcome Book Prize Shortlist 2019 has an Indian author in it! Sandeep Jauhar’s ‘’Heart: A History’ makes the cut. A memoir of the author, the book entails this cardiologist’s patient stories, family history with regard to this vital organ and important discoveries made.
Dr Agnishekhar chosen for Shatabdhi Samman-2019
The Centenary Celebration Jury of Bihar Hindi Sahitya Sammelan selected poet and scholar Agnishekhar for the ‘Sahitya Sammela Shatabdhi Samman’.
Bal Sahitya Puraskar and Yuva Puraskar of 2019 conferred by Sahitya Akademi
Sahitya Akademi announced twenty-three recipients of the Yuva Puraskar and twenty-two recipients of the Bal Sahitya Puraskar. Each winner is to receive a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 and a casket containing an engraved copper plaque.
Folk tale author Lakhminath Brahma (Bodo), Chandrakanth Karadalli’s 3 novels (Kannada), R K Sanahanbi Chanu’s Manipuri play and many others won the Bal Sahitya Puraskar. The Yuva Puraskar was awarded to 11 books of poetry which included works by authors Anuja Akathoottu (Malayalam), Anuj Lugun (Hindi), Sagar Nazir (Kashmiri), and others for short stories and novels.
How many of these award-winning Indian books have you read? Answer in the comments!
We are always looking for bilingual readers to contribute to our platform. Interested? Write to prakruti@purplepencilproject.com or jessica@purplepencilproject.com.
