President Droupadi Murmu conferred the 58th Jnanpith Award (2023) on eminent Urdu poet Gulzar and renowned Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. The award recognises their outstanding contributions to Indian literature.
Next Awardee (2024): Vinod Kumar Shukla, Hindi author, has been selected for the 59th Jnanpith Award (2024).
Jagadguru Rambhadracharya
- A leading Sanskrit scholar, author, and Hindu spiritual leader
- Holds title Jagadguru Ramanandacharya since 1982
- Founder and head of Tulsi Peeth, Chitrakoot (Madhya Pradesh) – a religious and literary institution
- Authored over 240 works, including 4 Sanskrit epics: Bhargava Raghavam, Sri Ramayaṇam, Dasavatara Tīrtham, Ramanandacharya Tīrtham
- Honours:
- Padma Vibhushan (2015)
- Received a citation plaque, cash prize, and bronze replica of Vagdevi (Saraswati) with the award
Gulzar (Sampooran Singh Kalra)
- Renowned Urdu poet, lyricist, filmmaker, and author
- Notable works in Hindi cinema include Maachis, Aandhi, Koshish
- Innovated the Triveni poetic form
- Major Awards: Padma Bhushan (2004); Sahitya Akademi Award (2002); Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2013); Oscar (2009) and Grammy (2010) for the song Jai Ho; Five National Film Awards
About Jnanpith Award
- Established: 1961
- Organised by: Bharatiya Jnanpith (a cultural and literary organisation founded in 1944)
- Nature: India’s highest literary honour
- Purpose: Given for outstanding contribution to Indian literature through creative writing in any of the languages listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution or in English
- Award Components:; Cash prize; Citation; Bronze replica of Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati)
Notable Facts about Jnanpith Award
| Feature | Details |
| First Awarded | 1965 to Malayalam poet G. Sankara Kurup (Odakkuzhal) |
| First Woman Winner | Ashapurna Devi (1976) |
| Eligibility | Only living Indian citizens; Indian citizens writing in Schedule VIII languages or English |
| Language Restriction | A language awarded in a year is ineligible for the next two years |
| Repeat Award Rule | A writer cannot receive the award more than once |
| Non-Mandatory Annual Award | The award may be withheld if no candidate meets the standard |