Noted Tamil writer Ashokamitran, known for his novel Thanneer and
other works was declared the recipient of the 6 NTR National Literary
Award on 4 May 2012. The award is scheduled to be presented on 28 May
2012. The writer was born in Secunderabad and was closest to Telugu
culture, language and people.
The announcement was made by chairperson of NTR Vignan Trust
Nandamuri Lakshmi Parvati who recalled how the award was established and
began with Kannada writer S.L. Bhyrappa, A. Somasundaram (Telugu),
Sachidanandan (Malayalam), Mahasweta Devi and Gnanpith awardee C.
Narayana Reddy.
The jury comprised writer Volga, Professor N. Krupanandam of the
University of Hyderabad and litterateur Ketu Vishwanatha Reddy.
Ashokamitran's name was finalised unanimously, considering the number of
his works that were translated in other languages and their relevance
to Telugu.
