The renowned Urdu poet, critic, short story writer and translator, Balraj Komal, would be presented this year’s coveted Gangadhar National Award for poetry. The award will be given away at the foundation day celebration of Sambalpur University on January 4.
Gangadhar National Award was instituted by Sambalpur University in memory of eminent poet Gangadhar Meher. It carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000, a shawl and a citation.
Komal has retired as an education officer and is currently freelancing. He has served as a member of the Delhi Urdu Akademi, member of Advisory Board for Urdu and the executive board of Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi.
He has to his credit many books of poetry, short stories and critical articles and edited three volumes of Urdu translations of contemporary Indian short stories.
