Who was awarded Sahitya Akademi award for English in 2020 for the novel 'Requiem in Raga Janki'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Answer: (2) Neelum Saran Gour
Explanation:
Author Neelum Saran Gour was honored with the Sahitya Akademi Award in English for her novel, Requiem in Raga Janki. This novel is a historical narrative based on the life, struggles, and musical journey of the renowned Hindustani classical singer, Janki Bai 'Chhappan Chhuri'. Neelum Saran Gour is a distinguished writer hailing from Allahabad (Prayagraj). The Sahitya Akademi Award is a highly prestigious literary honor in India, conferred annually upon outstanding works published in 24 Indian languages (22 constitutional languages + English and Rajasthani).
Note: The question mentions '2020'; however, officially, Neelum Saran Gour was awarded this prize for this very novel during the 2023 edition of the awards. In 2020, the award for English literature was conferred upon Arundhathi Subramaniam for her poetry collection, When God is a Traveller. From an examination perspective, the association between Requiem in Raga Janki and Neelum Saran Gour is inseparable.
Additional Points:
Namita Gokhale: She received the Sahitya Akademi Award in English in 2021 for her novel, Things to Leave Behind.
Anuradha Roy: She was honored in 2022 for her novel, All the Lives We Never Lived.
Prize Amount: The award comprises an engraved copper plaque, a shawl, and a cash prize of ₹1,00,000.
Potential Exam Questions and Answers:
Question: In how many Indian languages is the Sahitya Akademi Award conferred?
Answer: In 24 languages.
Question: The novel Requiem in Raga Janki is based on the life of which famous singer?
Answer: Janki Bai (a renowned singer from Allahabad).