Awards

Punjabi books nominated for crossword book award

The Times of India, June 20, 2011

BARNALA: Apart from many Punjabi writings winning the coveted literary awards instituted by Sahitya Akademy, two Punjabi books now translated into English have been nominated for an award in the translation category. The 'crossword book award' is one of the biggest private sector awards given to books in India in five categories.

This is for the first time, since 1998 when the award was started, that any Punjabi books have been nominated. 'Jangalnama,' translated in English as 'Jangalnama,' travels in a Maoist guerrilla zone and 'Changya rukh,' also translated in English as 'Against the night', are two books which have made it to list of 31 books for crossword book award in translation category.

Renowned writers Salman Rushdie, Vikram Seth, Amitav Ghosh, William Dalrymple, Vikram Chandra are some of the recipients of the award in the past. The award consists cash prize of Rs 3 lakh and is awarded in categories including, English fiction, English non-fiction, Indian language fiction translation, popular award and children's literature.

Jangalnama was originally written in Punjabi by writer & social activist Satnam in 2004 and the book got good acceptance, especially among section subscribing to left leanings. Its second edition was published in 2010 and same year Penguin India came forward to get it translated into English. Journalist Vishav Bharti translated Jangalnama and since then it has been translated into six languages, including Hindi, English, Tamil, Kannada, Marathi and English.

Punjabi poet Balbir Madhopuri's autobiography Changya Rukh has been translated as 'Against the night' by academician Tripti Jain, who has worked for Sahitya Akademy and national book trust. If Jangalnama sheds light on the life of Maoists living in jungles of Bastar, Changiya Rukh portrays the miseries of Dalits, still treated as untouchables at some places.

1. Gold Pen by All India Ad Adharam-2011

2. Punjabi Sahit  Sabhyachar Sangathan,Delhi-2009
3. Lal Singh Dil Purskar -2008, Punjabi  ,Sahit Kala Prishad, malerkotla (Pb.)
4. Sri Begampura Mission Punjab (Regd.) – 2006, Patiala
5. Dharat Suhavi – 2006, Punjabi Sath Lambra (Jalandhar)

6. Punjabi Deptt., Kurukshetra University-2005

7. Prerna Award – 2004, Prerna (Punjabi Magazine),Delhi

8. Sarvotam Pustak Purskar-2003, Bhasha Vibhag, Govt. of Punjab.

9. S.M.S. Sahitya Award, Maharashtra-2003

10. Academy of Fine Arts and Literature-2003

11. Jagroop Singh Datewas Pursakar-1999,Shabad   (Punjabi,Magazine)    

12. Kaav-Pursakar, Punjabi Academy, Dilli -1994.

13. Sant Ram Udasi Memorial Award- 1993

14. Dr. Ambedkar Fellowship – 1993,Bhartiya Dalit Sahitya academy,Delhi.

15. Gurdas Ram Alam Award- 1992, Manvvadi  Rachna Manch punjab.

16. The Sahitya Akademy Awards for Translation 2013 have been announced. Among the 23awardees Sh. Balbir Madhopuri, a renowned Punjabi writer has received the award for “Raj Kamal chaudhary Dian Chonvian Khananiyan”. He is presently working as  editor, Yojana (Punjabi), published by the Publications Division.