Veteran Bengali poet and critic Shankha Ghosh will receive the prestigious 52nd Jnanpith Award for 2016. The decision was taken in a meeting of Jnanpith Selection Board chaired by scholar, writer and critic Professor Namwar Singh. Ghosh had won the Padma Bhushan in 2011.

Ghosh, a prolific poet, critic and academician, is well-known for pieces including Adim lata - gulmomay, Murkho Baro, Samajik Noy and Baborer Prarthana. Much of his work has been translated into several Indian and foreign languages.

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“He is lyrical and reflective in some of his creations where a sense of anguish towards the superficiality of our society and existence are portrayed,” an official statement read. In the past, the 84-year-old has been the recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award, Saraswati Samman, Rabindra Puraskar among others.

The Jnanpith Award is presented every year to a literary figure for their outstanding contribution in literature.