User:Manavalanaa

Saraswati Samman for Tamil writer Dr Manavalan New Delhi | Thursday, Mar 22 2012 IST

Tamil writer Dr A A Manavalan has been chosen for the prestigious Saraswati Samman for his work Irama Kathaiyum Iramayakalum, published in 2005.

"After consideration of the works published in 22 Indian languages during 2001-2010, the Chayan Parishad (Jury) has selected Irama Kathaiyum Iramayakalum (Ramakatha and Ramayanas), a Tamil work by Dr A A Manavalan, for the 21st Saraswati Samman, 2011" a K K Birla Foundation statement issued here today said. The award, constituted by the K K Birla Foundation, consists of Rs 7.50 lakh, a citation and a plaque.

The jury which selected Manavalan was presided over by former Chief Justice of India Justice R C Lahoti. Manavalan (born in 1937), is a retired professor and Head, Department of Tamil in the University of Madras. Irama Kathaiyum Iramayakalum is Dr Manavalan's magnum opus. His well-known works include - Epic Heroism in Milton and Kamban(1984), Twentieth Century Literary Theories (1995) and An Anthology of Tamil Bhakti Poetry (2004). The Samman is an annual award for outstanding prose or poetry literary works in any Indian language listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution of India. It is named after an Indian goddess of learning and is considered to be among the highest literary awards in India. The Saraswati Samman was instituted in 1991.