Eminent writer and journalist M P Veerendra Kumar has been chosen for the prestigious Moortidevi award for 2016 for his Malayalam travelogue 'Haimavatha Bhoomiyil' which unravels ancient trails of Indian culture and literature.
The popular travelogue also reflects on lives of people who lived in the plains, valleys and mountains of ancient India besides the country's journey from 'Indraprastha' and myths and legends surrounding it.
A prolific writer and an eminent entrepreneur, Kumar is chairman and managing director of the Malayalam daily Mathrubhumi and a Rajya Sabha MP.
The award was announced after a selection board with illustrious personalities met here under the chairmanship of Prof Satyavrat Shastri.
In the book, Kumar also echoed the environmental concern for the fragile mountain ecosystem and talked about the need for water conservation and waste disposal.
Born on August 15, 1937, Kumar is a socialist inspired by Ram Manohar Lohia and is a recipient of many prestigious awards including Sahitya Akademi awards.
'Haimavatha Bhoomiyil' has more than 50 editions and has been translated into Hindi and Tamil.
The Moortidevi Award, constituted by the Bhartiya Jnanpith, is presented annually for a "contemplative and perceptive work which expresses, underlines and illumines human values rooted in the broad vision of Indian philosophy and cultural heritage".
Books written in English and all Indian languages are considered for the prize, which comprises a cash award of Rs four lakh, a statue and a citation plaque.
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