Manoj Das, a towering figure of English and Oriya literature, will be conferred with the 2013 Amritakeerti Puraskar national award.
Eminent writer, scholar and orator Thuravoor Viswambharan will be honoured with the Kerala state-level award.
The announcement was made Tuesday by Amritakeerti Puraskar committee member Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, vice chairman of Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM).
Launched in 2001, the annual awards are given for outstanding contribution in the fields of spirituality, philosophy, science or literature, and carry a cash prize of Rs.1,23,456, Goddess Saraswati's statuette by renowned sculptor Namboodiri, and a MAM citation.
The awards will be given during the 60th birthday celebrations of internationally acclaimed spiritual and humanitarian leader Mata Amritanandamayi Devi Sep 25-27, here.
Das is one of country's greatest living English and Oriya writers, and has more than 14 volumes of his works published.
A resident of the Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry since 1963, Das' writings have a distinct undercurrent of spiritual and mystical elements besides. Besides being an acclaimed novelist and poet, he has published travelogues and children's books.
Viswambharan's critical evaluation of the Mahabharata in the light of world philosophy has helped spread Indian culture and solidify the epic's place in the list of illustrious world literature.
