Why in News?
The passing of Vinod Kumar Shukla on December 23, 2025, marks the end of an era for modern Hindi literature. He is a recipient of the 2024 Jnanpith Award.
Description:
Vinod Kumar Shukla (1937–2025):
| Feature | Details |
| Birth & Origins | Born 1937 in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. |
| Literary Identity | Pioneer of Quiet Realism; known for minimalist and surrealist prose. |
| Key Style | Focused on “ordinary life,” dignity, and inner emotions; avoided grand political narratives. |
| First Major Work | Lagbhag Jaihind (1971) — Poetry collection. |
| Major Novels | Naukar Ki Kameez (adapted to film by Mani Kaul), Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rahti Thi. |
| Major Poetry | Kavita Se Lambi Kavita, Sab Kuch Hona Bacha Rahega. |
| State Significance | First writer from Chhattisgarh to receive the Jnanpith Award. |
Jnanpith Award (Bharatiya Jnanpith):
- Institution: Established in 1961 by the Sahu Jain family (Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain and Rama Jain).
- Status: India’s highest and oldest literary honor. It is a private award, not a government honor.
- Eligibility:
- Limited to Indian citizens only.
- Covers all 22 languages in the Eighth Schedule + English (included since 2013).
- Not awarded posthumously
- Scope: Awarded for Lifetime Contribution, not for a specific single work.
- Award Components:
- Cash prize: ₹11 Lakh.
- Bronze statue of Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati).
- Citation plaque and a shawl.
Important Facts:
- First Recipient: G. Sankara Kurup (Malayalam, 1965).
- First Hindi Recipient: Sumitranandan Pant (for Chidambara, 1968).
- First Woman Recipient: Ashapurna Devi (Bengali, 1976).
- First English Recipient: Amitav Ghosh (2018).
- Recent Awardees (2023): Gulzar (Urdu) and Jagadguru Rambhadracharya (Sanskrit).
Comparison: Jnanpith vs. Sahitya Akademi
| Aspect | Jnanpith Award | Sahitya Akademi Award |
| Scope | Lifetime Achievement | Specific Individual Work |
| Languages | 22 Schedule VIII + English | 22 Schedule VIII + English + Rajasthani |
| Nature | Private Trust (Bharatiya Jnanpith) | Autonomous Govt Body (under Ministry of Culture) |
| Quantity | Generally one (or joint) per year | 24 awards annually (one per language) |
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