President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday conferred the 49th Jnanpith award upon eminent Hindi poet Kedarnath Singh for his outstanding contribution towards Indian literature.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mukherjee said Mr. Singh had offered, through his poetry, a rare assimilation of rhymes and lyrical prose, exploring both the realms of reality and fantasy with equal felicity.
“A poet of unique stature, his approach is not only sensitive to modern aesthetics but also to traditional rural communities while at all times being committed to the celebration called life,” the President said.
The Jnanpith award, institutionalised by philanthropist couple Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain and Late Rama Jain, commemorates Indian authors for their contribution to Indian literature.
