Lucknow :

Noted Hindi litterateur Kashinath Singh has been chosen for the state’s highest literary award, Bharat Bharti. The award, given by UP Hindi Sansthan, carries a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh. The award list for 2014 was announced on Monday.

Singh (78) has penned many novels and short stories. His most famous novel is ‘Kashi ka Assi’, which captures the vibrant hues of Banaras. The novel has been adopted for the upcoming movie ‘Mohalla Assi’.

The litterateur is known to have candid political opinions and opposed Modi’s arrival in Varanasi for Lok Sabha elections, saying he would use the holy city for Hindutva agenda. Singh had said that such agenda would pose threat to Varanasi’s composite culture.

Besides Singh, 100 other writers have been selected in various categories on the basis of their work which was evaluated and examined by a committee set up by Hindi Sansthaan.

Some prominent awardees include Mridula Garg (Lohia Sahitya), Vinod Kumar Shukla (Hindi Gaurav), Krishna Bihari Mishra (Mahatama Gandhi Sahitya Samman), Abhiraj Rajendra Mishra (Deendayal Upadhaya Sahitya Samman), Ramkrishna Rajput and (Avantibai Sahitya Samman). These awardees will get a cash prize of Rs 4 lakh each.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / August 04th, 2015