The Jnanpith selection committee has announced Gulzar, a renowned Urdu poet, and Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, a Sanskrit scholar, as the recipients of the 58th Jnanpith Award.

Gulzar is acclaimed for his significant contributions to Hindi cinema and is revered as one of the preeminent Urdu poets of contemporary times. He has previously garnered numerous accolades, including the Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu in 2002, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2013, Padma Bhushan in 2004, and multiple National Film Awards.

The Jnanpith selection committee has announced the recipients of the prestigious 2023 Jnanpith Award, recognizing distinguished writers from two languages. Among the honorees is Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, renowned as a Hindu spiritual leader, educator, and author, serving as the founder and head of Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot.

Rambhadracharya, known for his scholarly contributions, has authored over 100 books and is proficient in 22 languages, demonstrating versatility as a poet and writer in various Indian languages such as Sanskrit, Hindi, Awadhi, and Maithili.

Additionally, the committee has selected the eminent Urdu writer Gulzar as another recipient of the award. Celebrated for his profound impact on Hindi cinema and his mastery of Urdu poetry, Gulzar has received numerous accolades throughout his illustrious career, including the Sahitya Akademi Award, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, and the Padma Bhushan.

The announcement comes after the previous year's recipient, Goan writer Damodar Mauzo, was honoured with the prestigious award. The Jnanpith Award ceremony serves as a testament to the literary achievements and contributions of these esteemed writers in their respective languages.

The Jnanpith Award, established in 1944, acknowledges remarkable contributions to Indian literature and is presented on an annual basis. This year, the award is being conferred for excellence in Sanskrit for the second time and for Urdu for the fifth time.

The esteemed honour comprises a cash prize of Rs 21 lakh, along with a statue of Vagdevi and a citation. The recipients were selected by a committee chaired by Jnanpith awardee Pratibha Rai.

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