Oriya writer Manoj Das will be presented the annual national-level Amritakeerti Puraskar, while writer and scholar Thuravoor Viswambharan will get the state-level award. The awards are being presented to the two litterateurs in connection with the 60th birthday celebrations of spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi here from September 25 to 27.
The awards were announced by Amritakeerti Puraskar Committee member and Vice-Chairman of Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM) Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri here on Tuesday. Launched in 2001, the awards are being presented annually to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in the fields of spirituality, philosophy, science or literature. The awards carry a cash purse of `1,23,456, a statuette of Goddess Saraswathi created by Artist Namboodiri and a citation from MAM. The two awards will be presented on September 27 at Amritapuri during Amritavarsham60 - the 60th birthday celebrations of Mata Amritanandamayi. A recipient of Padmashri award, Manoj Das’s writings in Oriya and English are noted for its distinct undercurrent of spiritual and mystical elements. He is also a recipient of Sri Aurobindo Puraskar, Sahitya Akademi Award (1972), Orissa Sahitya Akademi Award, Sarala Award, the Sahitya Bharati Award and BAPASI (Book-sellers And Publishers Association of South India) Award, among others. Thuravoor Viswambharan was selected for the award for his critical evaluation of Mahabharatha - Bharata Darsanam Punarvayana. “Prof Viswambharan’s critical evaluation of the Mahabharatha has helped spread the Indian culture and solidify the epic’s place in the list of illustrious world literatures,” the award committee reviewed. His programme on Mahabharata in Amrita Television - Bharata Darshanam - has completed over 2,500 episodes. The award committee consisted of Director of the Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram P Parameswaran, former Vice-Chancellor of Kalady Sri Sankara University N P Unni, poet P Narayanakurup, Shankar Abhayankar, Pratibha Ray, Swami Amritaswaroopananda Puri and Swami Thuriyamritananda Puri.
