Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 21: As the Sahitya Akademi today announced its annual awards for 2016, Dr Aziz Hajini and Joginder Pal Saraf have been awarded for their books on criticism and short stories, respectively.
Dr Aziz Hajini, the incumbent Secretary of J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages (JKAACL) has been awarded for his latest publication ‘Aan e Khane’ (Kashmiri language)) while Joginder Pal Saraf, popularly known as Chhatrapal (his pen name) and incumbent president of Dogri Sanstha, has been awarded for his publication `Cheta’, a short stories book in Dogri.
The award, comprising of cash prize of Rs one lakh, a citation and a memento, will be presented to them at a national level function, scheduled to be held at New Delhi in the month of February 2017.
‘Aan e Khane’ is the 15th publication of Dr Hajini and it is considered to be a milestone in the literary criticism of Kashmiri language and literature.
Dr Hajini has remained associated with Sahitya Akademi as convener of its Kashmiri Advisory Board from 2008-2012. He was elected as president of the oldest literary organization of the State Adbee Markaz Kamraz for three consecutive terms. He has participated in national and international literary and cultural events across the globe. Many of his books have been translated in various languages also.
This is the second national level award in literature that Hajini is receiving from the Sahitya Akademi. In 2013, he was awarded for the best translation in Kashmiri for translating Dr Ab Samad’s world famous novel, ‘Do Gaz Zameen’.
‘Cheta’ by Chhatrapal is a landmark in Dogri literature for its new style of expression, psychological treatment, literary aesthetics, beauty and power of language and style of modern short story.
Chhatrapal joined Radio Kashmir Jammu as News-Reader-cum-Translator in 1976 and retired as Sr NRT in 2009. He began writing at the age of 20 and has been awarded at State and National levels for his earlier publications and works. In 2015, he was awarded Sahitya Akademi Translation Award.
Sahitya Akademi today announced the Best Book awards of 2016 in 24 Indian Languages.
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