Renowned figures in the literary realm, Urdu poet Gulzar and Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya have been announced as the recipients of the illustrious 58th Jnanpith Award, a prestigious honor bestowed upon eminent contributors to Indian literature, as declared by the Jnanpith selection committee on Saturday.
Gulzar, also known by his birth name Sampooran Singh Kalra, has garnered acclaim for his multifaceted contributions to Hindi cinema and his esteemed position as one of the most eminent Urdu poets of contemporary times. On the other hand, Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, revered as the founder and leader of Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot, stands as a revered figure in Hindu spirituality, distinguished as an erudite scholar, educator, and author of over 240 literary works, including significant epics.
In a formal statement, the Jnanpith selection committee articulated their decision to confer the prestigious award upon distinguished luminaries from two distinct linguistic domains: the erudite Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya and the eminent Urdu litterateur Shri Gulzar.
Gulzar's literary prowess has been acknowledged with numerous accolades over the years, including the Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu in 2002, the esteemed Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2013, and the esteemed Padma Bhushan in 2004, among others. His creative brilliance extends beyond the realms of poetry to encompass notable contributions to the world of cinema, exemplified by timeless classics such as "Koshish" (1972), "Parichay" (1972), and "Mausam" (1975), alongside his directorial ventures.
Meanwhile, Jagadguru Rambhadracharya's erudition and literary prowess have earned him widespread admiration, with his proficiency extending across multiple languages, including Sanskrit, Hindi, Awadhi, and Maithili. His significant contributions to the realm of literature have been further recognized with prestigious accolades such as the Padma Vibhushan in 2015, marking a testament to his scholarly eminence and cultural significance.
The Jnanpith Award, an esteemed institution established in 1944, continues to uphold its tradition of honoring exemplary literary luminaries, with this year's award marking the second instance of recognition for contributions to Sanskrit literature and the fifth occasion of tribute to Urdu literature. The recipients of this esteemed accolade were determined by a selection committee chaired by the esteemed Jnanpith awardee Pratibha Rai, comprising a panel of distinguished literary figures and scholars.
