Prominent Awards in Punjab

Table of Contents

Sahitya Akademi Award

Established in 1954 under the guidance of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the Sahitya Akademi Award is a prestigious honor conferred annually to Indian writers across 24 recognized languages. This award is second in significance only to the Jnanpith Award in the literary realm. The first award was presented in 1955, and Bhai Veer Singh was its inaugural recipient in Punjabi literature for his book Mere Saiyan Jio. Recipients are chosen by an esteemed jury, and the award comprises a cash prize of ₹1 lakh and a bronze plaque (originally marble).

Recent and Notable Sahitya Akademi Award Recipients in Punjabi Literature:

Year	Book	Author
2023	Mann Di Chip (Poetry)	Swarnjit Savi
2022	Main Aynghosh Nahi (Short Stories)	Sukhjit
2021	Sullan Da Saalan (Short Stories)	Khalid Hussain
2020	Aam Khaas (Short Stories)	Gurdev Singh
1956	Sunehe (Poetry)	Amrita Pritam
1955	Mere Saiyan Jio (Poetry)	Bhai Veer Singh

The Akademi also initiated two additional categories in 2011:

Yuva Puraskar – For writers under 35, encouraging young talent in literature. The prize includes ₹50,000 and a copper plaque.
Bal Sahitya Puraskar – For outstanding children’s literature. It includes ₹50,000 and a copper plaque.

Yuva Puraskar Recipients in Punjabi:

Year	Book	Author
2023	Chitt Da Jugraphia (Poetry)	Sandeep
2022	Panjteele (Poetry)	Sandhu Gagan
2021	Paa De Pailaan (Essays)	Veer Davinder
2011	Amrit Vela (Poetry)	Paramveer Singh

Bal Sahitya Puraskar Recipients in Punjabi:

Year	Book	Author
2021	Sachi Di Kahani (Short Stories)	Gurmeet Karyalvi
2020	Phullan Da Shehar (Travelogue)	Karnail Singh Somal
2019	Aliens Di Dharti Te (Novel)	Pawan Harchandpuri

Jnanpith Award

Instituted in 1961 by the Bharatiya Jnanpith organization, this is the highest literary honor in India. It recognizes authors for their lifetime contributions to literature in any of the 22 official Indian languages. The award includes ₹11 lakh, a citation, and a bronze Saraswati idol. Prominent Punjabi recipients include Amrita Pritam (1981) and Gurdial Singh (1999).

Saraswati Samman

Introduced in 1991 by the K.K. Birla Foundation, the Saraswati Samman honors exceptional literary works from the past decade in any of the 22 scheduled languages. The award includes ₹15 lakh, a citation, and a plaque. Notable Punjabi awardees:

Harbhajan Singh (1991) – Rukh Te Rishi
Dalip Kaur Tiwana (2001) – Katha Kaho Urvashi
Surjit Patar (2009) – Lafzan Di Dargah

Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award

This sports award recognizes outstanding achievements in international, national, and Olympic events. Instituted in 1978 by the Punjab Government, it includes ₹5 lakh, a citation, and a trophy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The first recipient was Olympian Pargat Singh.

Punjab Rattan Award

The Punjab Rattan Award is presented for excellence in various fields, including art, literature, culture, science, and international achievements. Recipients include Amrita Pritam, Khushwant Singh, and Yash Chopra.