Famous Malayalam writer, thinker and poet K Sachidanandan has been chosen for the first Kuvempu National award instituted by Kuvempu Prathistana, dedicated to promote literary works of renowned Kannada poet laureate Kuvempu.
The award will be presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the eve of birth anniversary of K V Puttappa, known popularly as Kuvempu, on December 29 at the poet's birth place in Theerthahlli taluk of Shimoga district.
A committee headed by Jnanpeeth awardee Chandrashekhara Kambara selected Sachindanadan, a former head of the Central Sahitya Academy, considering his outstanding contribution to Indian literature, the Prathistana said in a statement.
Sachidanadan has 21 collections of poetry, 16 world poetry translations, 23 critical essays collection and four interviews on literature collections. He has edited several anthologies in 17 languages, including five in English, six in Hindi, one each in Arabic, German, French and Italian languages.
Sachidanandan strove hard throughout his life for the ideals preached by Kuvempu, namely secularist outlook, conservation and preservation of fragile environment and propagation of human rights and universal love, the prathishtana said.
