Navtej Sarna, Mamta Kalia win Sahitya Akademi Award

English author and former ambassador Navtej Sarna and Hindi writer Mamta Kalia are among the 24 authors in as many languages who will receive the Sahitya Akademi Award for 2025, the National Academy of Letters announced on Monday.

“Sahitya Akademi is happy to announce today its annual Sahitya Akademi Awards in 24 Indian languages recognised by it.

8 books of poetry, four novels, six books of short stories, two essays, 1 literary criticism, 1 autobiography and 2 memoirs have won the Sahitya Akademi Awards 2025,” it said in a statement. Sarna has been named the recipient of his novel “Crimson Spring”, while Kalia will receive the award for her memoir “Jeete Jee Allahabad”.

The awardees will receive a casket containing an engraved copper plaque, a shawl and an amount of Rs 1 lakh at a ceremony on March 31, the academy said.

Other awardees include Prasun Bandyopadhyay for “Shrestha Kabita” in Bengali, Yogesh Vaidya for “Bhattkhadaki” in Gujarati, Amresh Nugadoni for “Dada Seerisu Tande” in Kannada, N Prabhakaran for “Maayamanushyar” in Malayalam, Raju Baviskar for “Kalyanilya Resha” in Marathi, Jinder for “Safety Kit” in Punjabi, Jitender Kumar Soni for “Bharkhama” in Rajasthani and Sa Tamilselvan for “Thamiz Sirukathaiyin Thadangal” in Tamil.

Pritpal Singh Betab for “Safar Jari Hai” in Urdu, Nandini Sidha Reddy for “Animesha” in Telugu, Bhagwan Atlani for “Waghoo” in Sindhi, and Sumitra Soren for “Mid Birna Chenne Saon Inag Sagai” in Santali are also among the recipients of the award.

Mahamahopadhyay Sahu Bhadreshdas for “Prasthanacatustaye Brahmaghosah” in Sanskrit, Girijakumar Baliyar Singh for “Padapurana” in Odia, Prakash Bhattarai for “Nepali Paramparik Sanskriti Ra Sabhyata Ko Dukuti” in Nepali and Haobam Nalini for “Kanglamdriba Eephut” in Manipuri are also among the recipients of the award.