Eminent Assamese writer Lakshmi Nandan Bora has been selected for the prestigious 18th Saraswati Samman for his novel Kayakalpa.
The award, which was instituted by the K.K. Birla Foundation in 1991, is recognised as one of the most prestigious and highest literary honour in the country. It is given every year to an outstanding literary work written in any Indian language.
A high-level Chayan Parishad (selection committee), headed by former chief justice of India Justice G.B. Patnaik chose the winner after considering the works published in 22 Indian languages during 1998-2007.
The award carries a cash prize of Rs five lakh.
Bora, who is considered as one of the foremost men of letters in Assam today, has also won the Sahitya Akademi award for his 1986 novel Patal Bhairavi.
Assamese writer Bora’s novel Kayakalpa covers a wide canvas, ranging from modern technology and science to the ancient thoughts and philosophy of the great Rishis of India.
The past recipients of the Saraswati Samman award include well-known and widely read writers Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Ramakanta Rath, Vijay Tendulkar, Shamsur Rahman Faruqi, Indira Parthasarathy, Sunil Gangopadhyay, K Ayyappa Paniker and Naiyer Masud.