Magahi writer Shesh Anand Madhukar was honoured with Sahitya Akademi Bhasha Samman Award 2018 who has been working extensively for the development of the language.
- He is second writer of Magahi language to be given this award.
- Madhurkar was conferred the award by Sahitya Akademi President Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari.
- The Award comprised a Rs 1 lakh cheque and a memento.
About Shesh Anand Madhukar
- Madhukar has been working extensively for the development of the Magahi language.
- He started his career as a lecturer in Hindi at the BSK College, Methan in 1966 and eventually became a reader and professor at the Saint Columba College, Hazaribagh.
- He entered the field of literature in 1960 and since then he has immensely contributed in the enrichment of the language.
- His poems have been published in leading literary magazines.
- Some of his important works in Hindi are "Magahi Kavita Ke Bimb", "Eklavya", and "Bhagwan Birsa".
- His books have been included in the graduate and post-graduate syllabus of Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh.
About Magahi language
- Magahi language also known as Magadhi is language spoken in Bihar-Jharkhand region of eastern India. It has been derived from ancient language Magadhi Prakrit, which was spoken in ancient kingdom of Magadha. It is believed to be the language spoken by Gautama Buddha. It was official language of the Mauryan court, in which edicts of Ashoka were composed.
Bhasha Samman
- It identifies and honours literary works in those languages which are equally spoken in different parts of country by are not among 24 regional languages recognised for Sahitya Akademi Awards. The Bhasha Samman Award is an attempt to acknowledge the writers of other languages so that they could feel equally important.