NEW DELHI/RAIPUR: Poet and novelist Vinod Kumar Shukla, whose writings have unerringly and enduringly captured the dilemmas and complexities of ordinary lives in an original and audacious voice to produce the magical from the real, will receive the 59th Jnanpith Award for 2024.
A distinguished selection committee, chaired by Jnanpith awardee Pratibha Rai, decided to confer the award to Shukla, now 88, on Saturday. He is the first writer from Chhattisgarh, and the 12th Hindi litterateur, to be bestowed with the honour. “His writings are known for their simplicity, sensitivity and unique style. He is also famous for experimental writing in modern Hindi literature,” a press release issued by Bharatiya Jnanpith said.
Shukla responded in free verse when asked for his reaction, “Mujhe likhna bahut tha, lekin bahut kam likh paya, maine dekha bahut, suna bhi maine bahut, mehsoos bhi kiya bahut, lekin likhne main thoda hi likha.” (“I had a lot to write, but could write very little, I saw a lot, I heard a lot, I felt a lot too, but I wrote only a little.)
Starting with the ordinary, yet extraordinary line, “Kitna sukh tha ki har baar ghar laut kar aane ke liye main baar baar ghar se baahar nikloonga (It was such a feeling of happiness that to order to return home each time, I had to step out again and again,” Naukar Ki Kameez (The servant’s shirt) became his most acclaimed and popular work. The novel was adapted by renowned filmmaker Mani Kaul into a feature film in 1999. His other novels are Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi (A window lived in the wall) and Khilega To Dekhenge (Will see when it blooms).
“Shukla’s novels have cemented his position as a writer with an audacious and experimental craft. He is also lauded for the perspicacity of his poems. He is a deserving choice for his literary genius,” said Sahitya Akademi recipient writer Mridula Garg.
Eminent Dalit writer Sheoraj Singh “Bechain” says the common people in Shukla’s literary world are more powerful and magical than those created by writers who navigate the world of enchanted imagination. “A streak of realism runs through his poetry as well. He is a true ‘sahityasevi’,” he said.
Born in Rajnandgaon, now located in west Chhattisgarh, Shuka is a post-graduate in krishi vigyan (agriculture science) from Jabalpur. His first poetry collection, Lagbhag Jai Hind (Almost Jai Hind) was published in 1971.
“He is one of those rare writers who carved out his own path. He has not only inspired a generation of young writers but also created his own category of readers. In his writings, we see the common people’s striving for dignity, and the rhythm of relationship between humans with nature and environment,” said Satyanand Nirupam, editorial director, Rajkamal Prakashan group.
Jnanpith Award is the highest literary honour India given to writers who have excelled in literature in different Indian languages. The recipient gets Rs 11 lakh, a bronze statue of Vagdevi and a citation.
