Jnanpith & Akademi — Set 6
Books & Authors · ज्ञानपीठ और अकादमी · Questions 51–60 of 60
Who was the first recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award in the English language?
Correct Answer: B. R.K. Narayan
• **R.K. Narayan** = He was the first recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award in the English language. • **1960** — The year R.K. Narayan received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel 'The Guide'. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Mulk Raj Anand: A contemporary of R.K. Narayan and a pioneer of Indian English literature; Anita Desai: A celebrated Indian novelist, known for her psychological fiction; Nirad C. Chaudhuri: An eminent Indian writer known for his autobiography 'The Autobiography of an Unknown Indian'.
The first Urdu writer to win the Jnanpith Award was?
Correct Answer: C. Firaq Gorakhpuri
• **Firaq Gorakhpuri** = He was the first Urdu writer to win the Jnanpith Award. • **1969** — The year Firaq Gorakhpuri received the Jnanpith Award for his poetry collection 'Gul-e-Naghma'. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Ali Sardar Jafri: A renowned Urdu poet and lyricist, received the Jnanpith Award in 1997; Qurratulain Hyder: A prominent Urdu novelist and short story writer, received the Jnanpith Award in 1989; Shahryar: A notable Urdu poet, received the Jnanpith Award in 2008.
Which year was the Sahitya Akademi founded?
Correct Answer: C. 1954
• **1954** = The year the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, was founded. • **March 12** — The specific date in 1954 when the Sahitya Akademi was officially inaugurated. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 1950: Incorrect year for the founding of Sahitya Akademi; 1952: Incorrect year for the founding of Sahitya Akademi; 1956: The year Amrita Pritam became the first woman to win the Sahitya Akademi Award for Punjabi.
Who wrote 'Yayati', for which he received the Jnanpith Award in 1974?
Correct Answer: A. V.S. Khandekar
• **V.S. Khandekar** = He authored 'Yayati', a novel that earned him the Jnanpith Award. • **1974** — The year V.S. Khandekar received the Jnanpith Award for his novel 'Yayati'. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: V.V. Shirwadkar: A prominent Marathi writer, also known as Kusumagraj, won the Jnanpith Award in 1987; Vinda Karandikar: A celebrated Marathi poet, received the Jnanpith Award in 2003; Bhalchandra Nemade: Another acclaimed Marathi writer, received the Jnanpith Award in 2014.
The 'Bal Sahitya Puraskar' is an annual award given by which institution?
Correct Answer: B. Sahitya Akademi
• **Sahitya Akademi** = This institution confers the 'Bal Sahitya Puraskar' annually to recognize excellence in children's literature. • **2010** — The year the 'Bal Sahitya Puraskar' was instituted by Sahitya Akademi. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Bharatiya Jnanpith: The trust that presents the Jnanpith Award for outstanding literary contribution; NBT India: National Book Trust, an apex body for book promotion; Lalit Kala Akademi: India's National Academy of Art.
In which language did Amrita Pritam write her award-winning works?
Correct Answer: B. Punjabi
• **Punjabi** = Amrita Pritam, a celebrated poet and novelist, primarily wrote her award-winning works in this language. • **1981** — The year Amrita Pritam received the Jnanpith Award for her literary contributions in Punjabi. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Hindi: While she wrote some works in Hindi, her primary language for major contributions was Punjabi; Urdu: Not her primary language of writing; Sindhi: Not her primary language of writing.
Who won the Jnanpith Award in 1982 for her contribution to Hindi literature?
Correct Answer: A. Mahadevi Varma
• **Mahadevi Varma** = She received the Jnanpith Award for her significant contributions to Hindi literature. • **1982** — The year Mahadevi Varma was honored with the Jnanpith Award for her complete body of work, notably 'Yama'. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Krishna Sobti: A celebrated Hindi writer, received the Jnanpith Award in 2017; Amrita Pritam: A Punjabi writer, received the Jnanpith Award in 1981; Indira Goswami: An Assamese writer, received the Jnanpith Award in 2000.
The Sahitya Akademi Award for English in 2017 was won by whom for the novel 'The Black Hill'?
Correct Answer: A. Mamang Dai
• **Mamang Dai** = She won the Sahitya Akademi Award for English for her novel 'The Black Hill'. • **2017** — The year Mamang Dai received the Sahitya Akademi Award for her novel 'The Black Hill'. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Jeet Thayil: An Indian poet and novelist, won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2012 for 'Narcopolis'; Jerry Pinto: An Indian writer, won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2016 for 'Em and the Big Hoom'; Kiran Desai: An Indian author, won the Booker Prize, but not the Sahitya Akademi Award for 'The Black Hill'.
Who is the first Malayalam writer to receive the Jnanpith Award twice?
Correct Answer: D. None of these
• **None of these** = No writer, including Malayalam writers, has received the Jnanpith Award more than once, as it is a lifetime achievement award. • **Once** — The maximum number of times any writer can receive the Jnanpith Award. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: M.T. Vasudevan Nair: A prominent Malayalam writer and Jnanpith laureate (1995); O.N.V. Kurup: A celebrated Malayalam poet and Jnanpith laureate (2007); Akkitham: A renowned Malayalam poet and Jnanpith laureate (2019).
Which year did the Sahitya Akademi start the 'Bhasha Samman' for minor languages?
Correct Answer: C. 1996
• **1996** = The year Sahitya Akademi instituted the 'Bhasha Samman' to recognize contributions to languages not covered by the regular awards. • **24** — The number of regular languages for which Sahitya Akademi awards are given, distinct from the 'minor languages' recognized by Bhasha Samman. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: 1989: Incorrect year for the institution of Bhasha Samman; 1992: Incorrect year for the institution of Bhasha Samman; 2000: Incorrect year for the institution of Bhasha Samman.