New Delhi: Renowned Urdu poet Gulzar and Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya have been announced as the recipients of the 58th Jnanpith Award, as declared by the Jnanpith selection committee on Saturday.
Celebrated as one of the finest Urdu poets of this era, Sampooran Singh Kalra, popularly known as Gulzar, has left an indelible mark in Hindi cinema. He received the Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu in 2002, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2013, and Padma Bhushan in 2004. Additionally, Gulzar has clinched at least five National Film Awards for his exceptional contributions.
Among his notable works, the song “Jai Ho” from the film “Slumdog Millionaire” stands out, earning him an Oscar in 2009 and a Grammy Award in 2010. His repertoire includes songs for critically acclaimed films like “Maachis” (1996), “Omkara” (2006), “Dil Se…” (1998), and “Guru” (2007), showcasing his versatile talent.
Gulzar’s directorial ventures, including timeless classics such as “Koshish” (1972), “Parichay” (1972), “Mausam” (1975), “Ijaazat” (1977), and the television serial “Mirza Ghalib” (1988), have earned him numerous awards and accolades.
On the other hand, Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, the founder and head of Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot, is renowned as a Hindu spiritual leader, educator, and prolific author with over 240 books and texts to his credit, including four epics.
The Jnanpith selection committee stated in a release, “It has been decided to give the award (for 2023) to eminent writers from two languages: Sanskrit litterateur Jagadguru Rambhadracharya and well-known Urdu litterateur Shri Gulzar.” This recognition underscores the profound impact these literary luminaries have made in their respective fields.