Jnanpith Award — Set 1
Awards & Honors · ज्ञानपीठ पुरस्कार · Questions 1–10 of 60
In which year was the Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary honor, instituted?
Correct Answer: C. 1961
The Jnanpith Award was formally established in 1961 by the Bharatiya Jnanpith trust. It was created to recognize outstanding contributions to Indian literature by Indian citizens. The first actual presentation of the award happened a few years after its institution.
Who was the first recipient of the Jnanpith Award in 1965?
Correct Answer: D. G. Sankara Kurup
G. Sankara Kurup, a renowned Malayalam poet, received the inaugural award for his collection 'Odakkuzhal'. This collection is famously known as 'The Bamboo Flute' in English. His win marked the beginning of this prestigious literary tradition in India.
Which bronze statue is presented to the winners of the Jnanpith Award?
Correct Answer: D. Statue of Goddess Saraswati
Winners receive a bronze replica of Vagdevi, which is a form of Goddess Saraswati. This specific icon is modeled after an 11th-century statue found in the Bhojshala temple. It symbolizes knowledge, music, and the arts in Indian culture.
The Jnanpith Award is conferred for literary works in languages listed in which schedule of the Indian Constitution?
Correct Answer: D. Eighth Schedule
The award covers all 22 languages recognized under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Additionally, English was later included as an eligible language for the award. This ensures representation of the diverse linguistic heritage of India.
Who was the first woman to receive the Jnanpith Award?
Correct Answer: C. Ashapoorna Devi
Ashapoorna Devi, a celebrated Bengali novelist, won the award in 1976. She was recognized for her famous novel 'Pratham Pratishruti'. Her writings often explored the domestic lives and struggles of women in Bengal.
Which language has received the highest number of Jnanpith Awards to date?
Correct Answer: D. Hindi
Hindi literature leads the tally with the maximum number of individual recipients. Kannada is often a close second in terms of the frequency of awards. The award distribution reflects the rich creative output across various regional languages.
Who was the first Hindi writer to be honored with the Jnanpith Award?
Correct Answer: D. Sumitranandan Pant
Sumitranandan Pant received the honor in 1968 for his poetic work 'Chidambara'. He was a prominent figure in the Chhayavaad school of Hindi poetry. The work is celebrated for its lyrical beauty and focus on nature.
Which legendary poet was posthumously awarded the Jnanpith Award in its history?
Correct Answer: D. None
The correct answer is 'None'. The Jnanpith Award is generally not conferred posthumously according to its statutes. It aims to recognize living authors for their lifetime contribution to literature. This distinguishes it from some other national honors that may be given after death.
Who was the first English-language writer to win the Jnanpith Award?
Correct Answer: C. Amitav Ghosh
Amitav Ghosh made history in 2018 by becoming the first author to win for English literature. This marked a significant expansion in the scope of the award's linguistic categories. He is known for his extensive research and historical fiction.
The award was initially given for a specific book, but since 1982 it is given for?
Correct Answer: C. Lifetime contribution to literature
Since 1982, the award recognizes the overall lifetime achievement of an author rather than a single work. This change was made to honor the sustained excellence of Indian writers over decades. It is considered a cumulative recognition of their literary impact.