Amrith Someshwar to get Sahitya Akademi Bhasha Samman

Eminent writer and scholar from Karnataka Amrith Someshwar has been named for the Sahitya Akademi Bhasha Samman for his outstanding contribution to the development of Tulu language and literature.

Madhukar Anant Mehandale, an erudite scholar of Vedas and epics, has been chosen for the Sahitya Akademi Bhasha Samman for his contribution to the classical and medieval language and literature.

“Sahitya Akademi has selected the two eminent writers and scholars for the Bhasha Samman for 2016,” Akademi secretary K Sreenivasarao said in a statement.

The Bhasha Samman carries a cash prize of Rs one lakh, an engraved copper plaque and citation, which will be presented to the awardees by the President of Sahitya Akademi at a special function to be held later, he added.
 
Born in 1935, Someshwar has worked extensively for the development of Tulu language and literature and has carried out extensive research work.

His important works in Tulu include Thambila and Rangitha, both poetry collections, besides a collection of seven Tulu plays.

“He has translated into Kannada some of his important collection, Padthanaas and Bhamakumara Sandhi,” Sreenivasarao said.

Eighty-two-year Someshwar has been the recipient of many awards including Kannada Tulu Sahitya Academy Award, Talluru Kanaka Annayya Shetty award, Kannada Sahithya Parishath Centenary Award, Kannada Rajyotsava award and Shivaram Karanth Award.

“Mehendale is an erudite scholar of Vedas and epics, Pali and Prakrit, Historical Linguistics, Mahabharata and Avesta. He has written more than hundred articles and 11 books in English, Marathi and Sanskrit,” Sreenivasarao.

The ninety-nine-year-old scholar from Maharashtra has received many awards and honours which included President's certificate of honour (Sanskrit) and Guru Gangeshvara National Veda-Vedanga Award.