Kashmir Pen News Desk
New Delhi, March 16: Kashmiri poet Ali Shaida has been named among the recipients of the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Awards for 2025, announced on Monday.
Shaida has been honoured in the Kashmiri language category for his poetry collection “Najdavanek’y Pot Aalav,” bringing national recognition to the rich literary tradition of Jammu and Kashmir. The award carries an engraved copper plaque, a shawl and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh.
According to the Akademi, the selection process began in January 2025 following an open advertisement issued on January 30. The winners were recommended by distinguished three-member juries constituted for each of the 24 recognised languages and were subsequently approved by the Akademi’s competent authority.
In the poetry category, the awardees include Prasun Bandyopadhyay for Shrestha Kabita (Bengali), Khajur Singh Thakur for Thakur Satsayie (Dogri), Yogesh Vaidya for Bhattkhadaki (Gujarati), Ali Shaida for Najdavanek’y Pot Aalav (Kashmiri), Girijakumar Baliyar Singh for Padapurana (Odia), Mahamahopadhyaya Sadhu Bhadreshdas for Prasthanacatustaye Brahmaghosah (Sanskrit), Nandini Sidha Reddy for Animesha (Telugu), and Pritpal Singh Betab for Safar Jaari Hai (Urdu).
In the novel category, the awards were announced for Devabrat Das for Karhi Khelar Sadhu (Assamese), Sahaisuli Brahma for Dwngnwi Lama Mwnse Gathwn (Bodo), Navtej Sarna for Crimson Spring (English), and N. Prabhakaran for Maayaamanushyar (Malayalam).
Short story awards went to Amaresh Nugadoni for Dada Seerisu Tande (Kannada), Haobam Nalini for Kanglamdriba Eephut (Manipuri), Jinder for Safety Kit (Punjabi), Jitender Kumar Soni for Bharkhama (Rajasthani), Sumitra Soren for Mid Birna Chenne Saon Inag Sagai (Santali), and Bhagwan Atlani for Waghoo (Sindhi).
In the essay category, Henry Mendonca (H.M. Pernal) won for Konkani Kavyem: Rupani Ani Rupakam (Konkani), while Prakash Bhattarai received the award for Nepali Paramparik Sanskriti Ra Sabhyata Ko Dukuti (Nepali).
Sa. Tamilselvan was honoured for literary criticism for Thamiz Sirukathaiyin Thadangal (Tamil), while Raju Baviskar received the award in the autobiography category for Kalyanilya Resha (Marathi).
In the memoir category, Mamta Kalia won for Jeete Jee Allahabad (Hindi) and Mahendra for Dhatri Paat San Gaam (Maithili).
The Sahitya Akademi Awards are regarded among the most prestigious literary honours in India, recognising outstanding contributions to literature across the country’s diverse languages.
The award presentation ceremony is scheduled to be held on March 31, 2026, in New Delhi, where the winners will be formally honoured.
