Jnanpith Award: Gulzar awarded for Urdu, Jagadguru Rambhadracharya for Sanskrit

Renowned Urdu poet Gulzar and Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya have been named as the recipients of the 58th Jnanpith Award. This was announced by the Jnanpith selection committee today.

Gulzar is well known for his work in Hindi cinema and is considered one of the finest Urdu poets alive today. He has earlier received Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu in 2002, Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2013, Padma Bhushan in 2004, and at least five National Film awards for his works.

Rambhadracharya, the founder and head of Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot, is a renowned Hindu spiritual leader, educator and writer of more than 100 books.

In a statement, the Jnanpith selection committee said, "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." Goan writer Damodar Mauzo had received the prestigious award for 2022.