Dogri author Padma Sachdev wins Saraswati Samman award
NEW DELHI: Delhi’s lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung presented on Monday the 25th Saraswati Samman for 2015 to eminent Dogri author Padma Sachdev.
He described her as one of the leading writers of contemporary India and said she has earned a unique place for herself as a poet, novelist and a translator.
Instituted by the KK Birla Foundation in 1991, the award is given annually for outstanding literary work in any Indian language.
The award carries `15 lakh cash, a citation and a plaque.
Sachdev was awarded for her famous autobiography, Chitt Chitte, written in Dogri and published in 2007. The Chayan Parishad was headed by former Chief Justice of India, AS Anand.
“The world of a writer is unique. Your words and phrases are coined through a unique and sensitive mind, coloured on a canvass imbued by the best of colours. Your creativity knows no sleep and slumber and such perfection, mastery and craftsmanship of words are attained only after a long period of time, when matter and spirit patiently undergo the process of painful alchemy before reaching the utmost limits of your innate capacities,” Jung said, describing the achievements of the author.
Apart from being a successful broadcaster in Dogri, Sachdev has published more than 35 books till date. Chitt Chette, the autobiography of Padma Sachdev, born on April 17 1940, translates into Hindi as ‘Mann Ki Yaadein’.
Shobhana Bhartia, president of KK Birla Foundation, said though autobiographical works deal with one’s memoirs, Sachdev’s work goes beyond that.
“Her book touches on an era which coincides with many tumultuous events in India, in the context of Jammu and Kashmir. But it is not conflict or differences that are the main themes. Throughout the book, she dwells on love, faith and caring. Her extraordinary sense of humour lives up the pages of the book bringing a rare magnificence and beauty to her life story,” Bhartia said.
The decades-long work of Sachdev has brought many awards her way. A few of which are: the Sahitya Akademi Award, Soviet Land Nehru Award, J&K Cultural Academy Award. She’s also a recipient of the ‘Padmashri’.