Kashmiri poet Ali Shaida among Sahitya Akademi Awards 2025 winners
STC NEWS DESK
NEW DELHI, MARCH 16 (STC): Kashmiri poet Ali Shaida is among the prestigious Akademi Awards 2025 awardees announced by the Sahitya Akademi on Monday. The award consists of an engraved copper plaque, a shawl and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh.
Ali Shaida received the award in the Kashmiri language category for his poetry collection “Najdavanek’y Pot Aalav”, bringing recognition to Jammu and Kashmir’s literary contribution.
According to the Akademi, the selection process for the awards began in January 2025 following the issuance of an open advertisement on January 30. The awards were recommended by distinguished three-member juries in each of the 24 recognised languages and later approved by the competent authority of the Akademi.
In the poetry category, the winners include Shrestha Kabita by Prasun Bandyopadhyay (Bengali), Thakur Satsayie by Khajur Singh Thakur (Dogri), Bhattkhadaki by Yogesh Vaidya (Gujarati), Najdavanek’y Pot Aalav by Ali Shaida (Kashmiri), Padapurana by Girijakumar Baliyar Singh (Odia), Prasthanacatustaye Brahmaghosah by Mahamahopadhyaya Sadhu Bhadreshdas (Sanskrit), Animesha by Nandini Sidha Reddy (Telugu) and Safar Jaari Hai by Pritpal Singh Betab (Urdu).
The novel category awards went to Devabrat Das for Karhi Khelar Sadhu (Assamese), Sahaisuli Brahma for Dwngnwi Lama Mwnse Gathwn (Bodo), Navtej Sarna for Crimson Spring (English) and N. Prabhakaran for Maayaamanushyar (Malayalam).
In short stories, the winners include Amaresh Nugadoni for Dada Seerisu Tande (Kannada), Haobam Nalini for Kanglamdriba Eephut (Manipuri), Jinder for Safety Kit (Punjabi), Jitender Kumar Soni for Bharkhama (Rajasthani), Sumitra Soren for Mid Birna Chenne Saon Inag Sagai (Santali) and Bhagwan Atlani for Waghoo (Sindhi).
The essay category awards went to Henry Mendonca (H.M. Pernal) for Konkani Kavyem: Rupani Ani Rupakam (Konkani) and Prakash Bhattarai for Nepali Paramparik Sanskriti Ra Sabhyata Ko Dukuti (Nepali).
Sa. Tamilselvan won the award for literary criticism for Thamiz Sirukathaiyin Thadangal (Tamil), while Raju Baviskar received the award in autobiography for Kalyanilya Resha (Marathi).
In the memoir category, Mamta Kalia won for Jeete Jee Allahabad (Hindi) and Mahendra for Dhatri Paat San Gaam (Maithili).
Remarkably, the Sahitya Akademi Awards are among the most prestigious literary honours in India, recognising excellence in literature across the country’s diverse linguistic traditions.
The presentation ceremony will be held on March 31, 2026, in New Delhi, where the winners will be formally honoured.
(Straight Talk Communications I Inputs from KDC)
