- Telugu poet K Siva Reddy has been selected for the prestigious Saraswati Samman, 2018 (28th) for his collection of poetry titled Pakkaki Ottigilite (Turning Aside While Lying Down).
- Published in 2016, Pakkaki Ottigilite is an anthology of 104 poems in blank verse. It captures the responses of the poet over the years to social change, the evolution of his own self and his dynamic relationship with the world.
- Mr. Reddy was Born in 1943 in a farmer’s family in Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur District and is counted among the most renowned modern poets in Telugu.
- This award instituted by K.K.Birla foundation given every year to an outstanding work of an Indian citizen published during the last 10 years in any of the languages mentioned in Schedule 8 of the constitution.
- The inaugural award (1991) was given to Harivanshrai ‘Bachchan’ for his four volume autobiography, Kya Bhooloon Kya Yaad Karoon, Needa Ka Nirman Phir, Basere Se Door and Dashdwar se Sopan Tak.
- The award comprises of a citation and a plaque apart from award money of 15 lakh rupees.
- Besides the Saraswati Samman, the K.K.Birla foundation also gives away two other literary awards Vyas Samman and Bihari Puraskar besides G.D Birla Award for scientific research.
