"I am very happy. I am feeling like having been blessed with a healthy son after remaining childless for a decade. I am at loss of words," the 86-year-told writer told PTI here.
Bharadwaja, who had humble beginnings, recalled his struggles in life. "I struggled for food and clothing. I never asked for awards. Of course, I am happy for getting this award."
Viswanatha Satyanarayana, popularly known as 'Kavi Samrat', was the first Telugu litterateur to get the Jnanpith Award in 1970.
Former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao, who had deep interest in literature and was known for his mastery over several Indian and foreign languages, had translated Satyanarayana's novel 'Veyi Padagalu' into Hindi. Writer C Narayana Reddy bagged the award in 1988.
Bharadwaja, who has to his credit more than 37 volumes of short stories and 17 novels among other works, was chosen for the award by a selection board chaired by noted poet Sitakant Mahapatra.