Kuvempu Rashtriya Puraskar 2023

GS Paper I Awards and Culture

Context: Recently, Sirshendu Mukhopadhyay received the Kuvempu Rashtriya Puraskar of 2023, instituted by Rashtriya Kuvempu Trust.

Sirshendu Mukhopadhyay became the 11th recipient and the first Bengali writer to receive the award.

About Rashtriya Kuvempu Trust

The trust has been honouring a writer with the national award since 2013.
On this 2023 occasion following have been released:
- Beginner’s Muse and Alien Harp, a collection of Kuvempu’s English poems.
- Aharnishi Prakashana of Shivamogga published a translation of Mukhopadhyay’s short stories, titled Sameepya.
- Kuvempu Trust released a calendar with rare photos of Kuvempu.

Kuvempu Rashtriya Puraskar is a national award, which is presented annually in memory of the late poet laureate Kuvempu.
It is given to a writer who has contributed in any of the languages recognised by the Indian Constitution.
It carries ₹5 lakh cash award, a citation, and a memento.

Kuvempu Rashtriya Puraskar

A Kannad Poet: Kuppali Venkatappa Puttappa, popularly known as Kuvempu, was an Indian poet, playwright, novelist and critic.
- He is regarded as the greatest Kannada poet of the 20th century.
  - Kuvempu had a special relationship with West Bengal. He took Ramakrishna Paramahamsa as his guru.
Writer of Karnataka State Anthem: He penned the Karnataka State Anthem “Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate”.
Achievements:
- Jnanpith Award: In 1967, he became the first Kannada writer to receive the Jnanpith Award for his version of the Ramayana titled ‘Sri Ramayana Darshanam’.
- Rashtrakavi: In 1964, for his contributions to Kannada Literature, the Government of Karnataka decorated him with the honorific Rashtrakavi (“National Poet”).
- Karnataka Ratna: In 1992, he received an honour of Karnataka Ratna (“The Gem of Karnataka”).
- Padma Vibhushan: In 1988, he was conferred the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India.
- Sahitya Akademi Award: In 1955, he received Sahitya Akademi Award.