Jnanpith Awards presented

By Bindu Jacob

NEW DELHI, JAN. 27.

Eminent Hindi writer Nirmal Verma and Punjabi novelist Gurdial Singh were awarded the 35th Jnanpith Award for the year 1999 here today for their contribution to Indian literature. The awards were presented by the Governor of Uttar Pardesh, Dr. Vishnu Kant Shastri.

Known for his thought-provoking writing and rare sensitivity, Nirmal Verma is much acclaimed for his short story collections, ``Nayi Kahani'' and ``Parinde''. A recipient of several awards including the Sahitya Akademi Award, the U. P. Hindi Sansthan Award and the Moortidevi Award, his other prominent works include ``Jalti Jhari'', ``Pichhli Garmiyon Mein'', ``Beech Bahas Mein'', ``Kauwe Tatha Kala Pani'' and ``Sookha Tatha Anya Kahaniyan''.

Regarded as a spokesman for the marginalised sections, the other awardee, Gurdial Singh, created a niche for himself in contemporary Punjabi literature with his very first novel ``Marhi Da Diva'' in 1964. He is widely acclaimed for his depiction of the rawness of human life which ``strikes a sympathetic chord with his readers''.

In his novels ``Adh Chandni Raat'', ``Anhoe'', ``Parsa'' and ``Reite Di Ikk Mutthi'', the author has ``captured the innate strengths and crippling weakness, dreams and desires of the common man''. Like Nirmal Verma, Gurdial Singh is also a recipient of several other awards and honours including the Sahitya Akademi Award, Punjabi Sahitya Akademi Award, Bhai Veer Singh Galp Puraskar and the Padmashri.

Besides a cash component, the award carries a shawl, a citation and a bronze statue of Vagdevi-Saraswati -- the symbol of the award.

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