Inderjeet, Mushtaq are this year’s Sahitya Akademi awards winners

Sahil Rasgotra. Updated: 12/6/2018 11:58:16 AM Front Page

JAMMU: Inderjeet Kesar, one of the most prolific writers in the Dogri literature, and Mushtaq Ahmad Mushtaq, a Kashmiri writer and broadcaster,bagged the prestigious Sahitya Akademi award for literature in Dogri and Kashmiri languages, respectively, on Wednesday.

Sahitya Akademi awards, among the most prestigious literary honours bestowed on writers for their works across genres and languages, were announced in New Delhi.

Inderjit Kesar was given this year's award for his novel titled ‘Bhagirath’ whereas Mushtaq was given the award for his collection of short stories titled 'Aakh'.

A retired officer of Kashmir Administrative Services, Kesar was born in Katra and is currently settled in Jammu. His first book ‘Full Khid’deReh’--a poetry collection—was published in 1998 and since then, he has been coming out with a new book, every year, without a break.

Kesar’s writing touches almost all the social issues that we face in everyday life at large. However, where he excels is the unique and fresh take on them, which often hit the right patch in reader’s heart.

The years he spent amidst the chaos that troubled valley in the decade of 90’s also reflect in his writings prominently. That all these things have been expressed in Dogri, connect with reader instantly.

However, the books are not the sole medium of his expression. He has been writing regularly for many reputed publications including prominent newspapers, Jammu and Kashmir Academy for Art, Culture and Languages, and many others. He is also the executive member of a prominent organization working for Dogri’s cause and has remained on the advisory board of Sahitya Akademi New Delhi for 5 years.

He has also been associated with Radio and Doordarshan, with his written 12 songs and 9 Bhajans playing on the former since ages.

His novel Maatreya has been taught to students of Bachelor of Art for last 12 years while another novel Jaul is included in the syllabus for the students of Masters of Art in Jammu University.

Mushtaqis presently posted as head of the regional news unit at Radio Kashmir Srinagar.

'Aakh' is a collection of 18 short stories that was chosen from the 13 books in Kashmiri language .

He has served in Doordarshan news unit at Srinagar Kendra for nine years apart from having worked in other media units of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as an Indian Information Service (IIS) officer.

The awards relate to books first published during the five years immediately preceding the year of award, between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2016.

The awards, in the form of a casket containing an engraved copper-plaque, a shawl and a cheque of Rs 1 lakh, will be presented to the authors at a special function in January next year at Kamani Auditorium.

An extensive range of works representing diversity in contemporary Indian literature, comprising seven collections of poetry, six novels, six short story collections, three works of literary criticism and two collections of essays were announced on Wednesday as the winners of the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award 2018 in 24 languages.

The awards were recommended by jury members in respective languages and were then approved by the Executive Board of India's national academy of letters under the chairmanship of Akademi President Chandrashekhar Kambar.


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