Goan writer Damodar Mauzo Goa has received the prestigious 57th Jnanpith Award, the country’s highest literary honour, from state Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai.
Key points
- Mauzo’s 25 books have been published in Konkani and one in English. Many of his books have also been translated in different languages.
- Mauzo’s famous novel ‘Karmelin’ received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1983.
- Mauzo is the second Goan to receive the Jnanpith Award. Earlier, Ravindra Kelekar from the coastal state got the award in 2008.
- The country’s highest literary award, the Jnanpith is bestowed on writers for “their outstanding contribution to literature”.
- The Jnanpith Award is presented by the Bharatiya Jnanpith, established by the Shahu Shanti Prasad Jain.
- Instituted in 1961, the recipients of Jnanpith award are given a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh, a citation plaque and a bronze replica of Goddess Saraswati.
- Malyalam author G.S. Kurup was the first recipient of this award. Assamese poet Nilmani Phookan Jr won the 56th Jnanpith Award.
