Renowned Urdu poet and lyricist Gulzar, along with Sanskrit scholar and founder of Tulsipeeth in Chitrakoot, Jagadguru Ramabhadracharya, have been selected as the recipients of the prestigious Jnanpeeth award for the year 2023. The decision was made by a selection committee comprising 11 literary experts, under the chairmanship of prominent Odia writer and Jnanpeeth awardee Pratibha Ray, who announced the decision on Saturday.
The committee praised Gulzar and Ramabhadracharya for their exceptional literary contributions in their respective fields. Gulzar, known for his long journey in cinema and his innovative poetry, has been credited with creating a new form of Triveni in poetry, characterized by three lines. His songs are widely celebrated for their depth and resonance with audiences.
Gulzar and Jagadguru Ramabhadracharya Awarded the Jnanpeeth Award
Gulzar, whose real name is Sampuran Singh Kalra and is 89 years old, is regarded as one of the finest Urdu poets in contemporary history. He has penned many popular songs in Hindi movies and has received numerous accolades, including the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, Padma Bhushan, and Dada Saheb Phalke Award. Notably, his song “Jai Ho” from the movie Slumdog Millionaire won an Oscar in 2009.
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On the other hand, Jagadguru Ramabhadracharya, aged 74, is known as one of the four Jagadguru Ramanandacharyas of the Ramananda tradition. Despite losing his eyesight at the age of two months, he has achieved mastery in Sanskrit and is capable of composing over 100 Sanskrit verses per hour. He is revered for his contributions to Sanskrit literature and his proficiency in various languages, including Hindi, Awadh, and Maithili.
The Jnanpeeth award, established in 1944, is considered one of the highest literary honors in India. The 58th award this year includes a cash prize of Rs. 21 lakh, a statue of Vagdevi, and a certificate. This is the second time the award has been conferred for Sanskrit literature and the fifth time for Urdu. The selection of Gulzar and Ramabhadracharya has been hailed as a fitting tribute to their remarkable literary careers.
