Arundhathi Subramaniam Receives Prestigious Mahakavi Kanhaiyalal Sethia Poetry Award at Jaipur Literature Festival 2024
Poet Arundhathi Subramaniam was honored with the Mahakavi Kanhaiyalal Sethia Poetry Award 2024 during the 17th Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Series Jaipur Literature Festival. The distinguished award, presented in collaboration with the Mahakavi Kanhaiyalal Sethia Foundation, pays tribute to the multifaceted luminary Mahakavi Kanhaiyalal Sethia, celebrated as a poet, educator, social reformer, environmentalist, and freedom fighter.
A panel of esteemed jurors, including Namita Gokhale, Sanjoy Roy, Jaiprakash Sethia, and Siddharth Sethia, unanimously selected Arundhathi Subramaniam for her exceptional contributions to the world of poetry. The award ceremony, slated for 2 pm on Saturday, 3rd January, at the Front Lawn, will feature the presentation of the jury citation and a cheque of INR 100,000.
Mahakavi Kanhaiyalal Sethia, renowned for his iconic poem ‘Dharti Dhora Re,’ considered the unofficial anthem of Rajasthan, left an indelible mark on India’s literary landscape. The documentary film ‘Land of Sand Dunes,’ directed by Gautam Ghosh and based on Sethiaji’s anthem poem, received the National Award – the Golden Lotus from the Government of India. The poem was showcased at the 2016 Republic Day Parade in New Delhi.
Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Arundhathi Subramaniam stated, “It’s an immense honor to receive the Kanhaiya Lal Sethia Award for Poetry 2024. This award holds special significance given the rich literary legacy of Mahakavi Kanhaiyalal Sethia.”
Mahakavi Kanhaiyalal Sethia, a prolific writer in Hindi, Urdu, and Rajasthani, authored 42 books. He was honored with the Padma Shri in 2004 and the Rajasthan Ratna in 2012, embodying a spirit of social activism and environmental consciousness.
The Jaipur Literature Festival, is a celebrated literary show, stands as a magnificent stage of ideas. Over the course of 16 years, it has evolved into a global literary phenomenon, hosting almost 2000 speakers and attracting over a million book enthusiasts from both India and around the globe. Despite its continuous growth, the festival remains committed to its fundamental values, serving as an inclusive platform accessible to all.
Writers and Festival Directors Namita Gokhale and William Dalrymple, in collaboration with Festival Producer Teamwork Arts, extend invitations to speakers to participate in the comprehensive five-day program set amidst the historical and vibrant backdrop of Jaipur, the dynamic state capital.
