Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi (SP)

New Delhi, Dec 24: Central Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, has announced its literary awards for this year. Well-known Kannada writer, Vaidehi and Konkani poet from Goa, Jess Fernandes, are among 24 persons from across the country, to have been chosen for this national level award.

The others who will be receiving the awards include Pradyumn Singh Jindrahia for poetry in Dogri, Kailash Vajpeyi in Hindi and Puvirasu for Tamil.

Vaidehi, Jess Fernandes

Vaidehi, who writes short stories, childrens' plays and poetry, has been chosen for the award, on the basis of her collection of short stories titled ‘Krauncha Pakshigalu’. She hails from Udupi district and her works have a distinct feminine leaning. Born as the daughter of A V L Hebbar and Mahalakshmi couple from Kundapur on February 12, 1945, she was involved with literary activities even when studying in Bhandarkar's College Kundapur. Her actual name is Vasanti and was renamed as 'Janaki' after marriage. The pen name, 'Vaidehi' was given by  a weekly, which published a story she had sent to it, after she requested it later to hold it back, as it was a real life story. She is already the recepient of Attimabbe Award, Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award, 'Katha Award', M K Indira Award, Anupama Award etc. 'Gulabi Talkies', a film made by Girish Kasaravalli on the basis of a story written by her, has won the best regional film award at the national level.

The award carries a cash component of one lac rupees. The awards function is scheduled to be held on February 16, 2010, informed Akademi secretary, Agrahara Krishnamurty, speaking to media men on Wednesday December 23.