Eminent Kashmiri poet Rehman Rahi has won the prestigious Jnanpith award for the year 2004.
Rahi was selected for the award by a panel comprising noted personalities like Mahashweta Devi, C T Indira, Sitanshu Yashaschandra, Ramakant Rath and Gopi Chand Naranag.
The panel was chaired by noted scholar L M Singhvi. Rahi, 82, is one of the most eminent poets and critics of the Kashmiri language.
Through his work, he has profoundly enriched and influenced Kashmiri language -- thereby making a
significant contribution in the Indian literary field. Some of his notable creations include Nauroz-e-Saba (The Morning Zephyr), Sanaweni Saaz and Siyaah-Rooda-Jaren Manz.
Rahi's critical essays in Kahwat (Touchstones) are considered to have developed an indigenous critical idiom for Kashmiri. He has been the recipient of many prestigious awards, which include the Sahitya Akademi Award and Emeritus fellowship by the Ministry of Human Resources Development. He has also been honoured with a Padamshree.
