Latest news with #SahityaAkademiYuvaPuraskar

Andhra Pradesh fisherman's son breaks barriers, wins literary award

New Indian Express

5 hours ago

Entertainment
New Indian Express

Andhra Pradesh fisherman's son breaks barriers, wins literary award

ANAKAPALLE: In the small coastal hamlet of Vada Rambilli under Rambilli mandal in Anakapalle district, a powerful story of resilience and literary achievement has emerged. Surada Prasad, a 25-year-old writer known by his pen name Prasad Suri, has become the first—and youngest—member of the fishermen community to receive the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar in 2025. His Telugu novel Mairaavana earned him the prestigious award, marking a significant milestone not just for himself but also for his Vada Balija community along the Visakhapatnam coast. Prasad's journey is one of determination, passion, and an unwavering commitment to storytelling. Born to Surada Chandrarao and Nukaratnam, a fishermen couple who moved from Vada Narsapuram to the Buggavagu reservoir in Macherla of Palnadu district in search of a livelihood, he grew up in a family unfamiliar with reading or writing. Neither of his parents nor grandparents were literate, making him the first in his family to attend school and later graduate. He spent his early years in Macherla, completing primary education before returning to Vada Rambilli to live with his maternal uncle and grandmother for secondary schooling. He pursued Intermediate in Yelamanchili and went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad. He is currently pursuing Master's degree in Archaeology at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. Prasad's artistic journey began with childhood sketching and painting, later growing into a passion for history, mythology, and literature. Despite financial struggles, he worked various jobs to support his education and pursue meaningful storytelling. He began his literary career with 'My Name is Chiranjeevi,' a semi-autobiographical novel set against the backdrop of Vizag's culture and slang. Written at the age of 19, it follows the struggles of a teenager named after Prasad's favourite film star, Chiranjeevi, navigating life through high school and Intermediate years.

In Jharkhand, an Adivasi poet's fight to document tribal values: ‘Owe this to future generations'

Indian Express

5 days ago

General
Indian Express

In Jharkhand, an Adivasi poet's fight to document tribal values: ‘Owe this to future generations'

What Parvati Tirkey, an Adivasi poet who's the recipient of this year's Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar, remembers most about her childhood is story-telling sessions with her grandfather. Every year during the tribal festival of Sarhul festival, she would sit at her grandfather's feet as he sang songs of old. The songs taught her everything she needed to hear about her Kurukh culture, their traditional way of life and even legends and myths – all things she could never learn in textbooks. It's through these that she learnt the significance of her surname, Tirkey. 'Tirkey, which means a wild bird found in forests. In the same way, the tiger (Lakra) is a totem animal for those with the Lakra surname. Totem for us Adivasis, simply means a deep sense of guardianship and kinship with a particular species,' she says. For years, Tirkey has been trying to encapsulate her learnings through the tradition of 'oral libraries' in her poetry. Earlier this week, her commitment to this vital cultural reclamation was officially recognised: she was named the recipient of the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2025 (Hindi) for her poignant poetry collection 'Phir Ugna'. Translated as 'To Spring Again' it is a collection of Kurukh poetry. 'These poems are rooted in the Kurukh lifestyle and their ancestral knowledge systems like the Parha system of self-governance, the totem culture, and more,' she says. From a remote village in Jharkhand's Gumla district, Tirkey completed her schooling in Gumla and went on to earn her graduation, post graduation, and PhD in Hindi Literature from the Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Despite her literary achievements, Tirkey admits she never liked studying as a child. 'I still remember my grandmother's admonition: 'If we go to school, who will go to jatra (processions)?',' she says. During her research at BHU, Parvati made the conscious decision to bring these 'oral libraries' into Hindi literature. 'Our elders had libraries too, hidden ones, oral ones. Why weren't they adopted? Why weren't they given space?' Tirkey, who teaches Hindi literature at Ram Lakhan College in Ranchi, asks. Her choice of language – Hindi – was a carefully thought out one, selected to bridge the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous languages. Through this, she also wanted to explain better the systemic neglect of the Kurukh language and knowledge within academic and cultural institutions. 'Hindi literature has long been dominated by non-indigenous writers. Since our voices have been missing for generations, it's time we document and share our cultural values, those that were passed down orally and never written. We owe this to future generations. Let it be part of the current syllabus,' she says. Among the poems in her collection is 'Lakra Kavita' – or tiger poetry. She describes it as a conversation between a tiger and a Kurukh tribal with the surname 'Lakra'. 'The tiger stops this man on his path and the man reminds the tiger they are family, that they share the same origins and emotions. The poem portrays the emotional bond between the two, and eventually, the tiger allows the man to pass,' she says. For Tirkey, writing poetry and entering the world of literature is her response to cultural displacement — an issue she feels remains under-discussed. She believes that any effort to preserve Adivasi culture and language is a small but significant step toward revival and inclusion in mainstream consciousness. 'These cultural systems now need to be preserved. That's what the title Phir Ugna means – to spring again,' says Parvati. Shubham Tigga hails from Chhattisgarh and studied journalism at the Asian College of Journalism. He previously reported in Chhattisgarh on Indigenous issues and is deeply interested in covering socio-political, human rights, and environmental issues in mainland and NE India. Presently based in Pune, he reports on civil aviation, other transport sectors, urban mobility, the gig economy, commercial matters, and workers' unions. You can reach out to him on LinkedIn ... Read More

Two Marathi authors receive Sahitya Akademi awards

Hindustan Times

20-06-2025

Entertainment
Hindustan Times

Two Marathi authors receive Sahitya Akademi awards

Pune: Two Marathi authors have been honoured with Sahitya Akademi awards this year. Suresh Sawant received children's literature award for his poetry collection 'Abhalmaya', while young writer Pradeep Kokare was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar for his novel 'Khol Khol Dhushkali Dole'. The Sahitya Akademi on Wednesday announced the 'children's literature award' in 24 languages and the 'yuva puraskar' in 23 languages. Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said, 'Pradeep Kokare is a realist writer whose literature reflects the lives of the poor, the unemployed, and the marginalised and neglected sections of society. His writing directly engages with social issues The national award is not only a recognition of his work, but also a matter of pride for the Marathi literary community.' Suresh Sawant is a senior Marathi children's writer and poet. His works is marked by a simple, heartfelt language easily understood by children. 'Abhalmaya' is centred around themes such as nature, the sky, dreams, and the emotional world of childhood. Kokare said, 'My novel is based on the identity crisis and the questions faced by today's youth. The protagonist comes from a small village to Mumbai for his education and faces challenges that questions his own existence. His thoughts emerge in a lyrical form throughout the novel. I completed this work on the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre Fellowship received in 2022. While literary meets are organised, real issues faced by youth are not being discussed.'

Writing for kids a joyous journey, says Sahitya Akademi award winning poet

Time of India

18-06-2025

Entertainment
Time of India

Writing for kids a joyous journey, says Sahitya Akademi award winning poet

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Sahitya Akademi's Bal Sahitya Puraskar winner poet Suresh Sawant on Wednesday said writing for children in simple language was a challenging yet rewarding task, sharing that his 40-year journey of creating content for young readers was a exploratory experience. From Maharashtra, Sawant (65) and Pradeep Kokare were on Wednesday announced as the recipients of Bal Sahitya Puraskar and Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar, respectively. Sawant received the award for 'Aabhalmaya', his poetry collection published in 2023. A resident of Nanded, Sawant has penned 33 books for children. He said understanding child psychology was key to produce any literature for the young ones. "I strive to balance entertainment and knowledge in my writing for children," Sawant said, expressing his delight that his work resonates with his young readers. A deep admirer of Sane Guruji, a teacher and freedom fighter known for his literary work for children, Sawant said the award from Sahitya Akademi made him indebted to children. 'Jambhulbet', 'Balakniti' and 'Palaspadi' are the poetry collections of Sawant that won state govt award for best literature. His two poems for children are part of the curriculum for state board schools, whereas his other literary works have figured in the syllabi of Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded, and Shivaji University, Kolhapur. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like What Was Hidden in His Truck Will Surprise You prestigetrophy Learn More Undo Sawant, who served as the principal of Rajashri Shahu School and Junior College in Nanded for 33 years, was the President of the All India Literary Meet for Children in 2002, 2019 and 2024. He has penned 56 books, with his other areas of writing including critique and research.