NTR NATIONAL LITERARY AWARD FOR ASHOKAMITRAN

NTR NATIONAL LITERARY AWARD FOR ASHOKAMITRAN

Noted Tamil writer Ashokamitran, known for his novel Thanneer and other works, is the recipient of the 6 NTR National Literary Award. Announcing this at a press conference here on Friday, chairperson of NTR Vignan Trust Nandamuri Lakshmi Parvati recalled how the award was established and began with Kannada writer S.L. Bhyrappa, A. Somasundaram (Telugu), Sachidanandan (Malayalam), Mahasweta Devi and Gnanpith awardee C. Narayana Reddy.The jury that chose Ashokamitran comprised writer Volga, Professor N. Krupanandam of the University of Hyderabad and litterateur Ketu Vishwanatha Reddy. Of the nine names that were screened, Ms. Lakshmi Parvati said, Mr. Ashokamitran's name was finalised unanimously, considering the number of his works that were translated in other languages and their relevance to Telugu.

Executive chairman of the NTR Vignan Trust and adviser to the State government on cultural affairs K.V. Ramanachary said the 82-year-old writer was born in Secunderabad and was closest to Telugu culture, language and people. The award will be presented on May 28, birth anniversary of NTR, he added. 

                                   Prof. John Kurakar