In the year 2022, the celebrated Tamil writer Sivasankari was bestowed with the esteemed ‘Saraswati Samman’ for her memoir, “Surya Vamsam.” This distinguished accolade, presented by the K.K. Birla Foundation, was graciously handed to her by the former Union Minister, M. Veerappa Moily, who also presented her with a citation, a commemorative plaque, and a generous prize of ₹15 lakh. The selection of “Surya Vamsam” for this honor was made by a discerning Chayan Parishad (Selection Committee) led by the former Supreme Court judge, Arjan Kumar Sikri, who notably underscored the exceptional literary worth of the work.
“Surya Vamsam,” a comprehensive two-volume narrative, offers a profound insight into the life journey of an innocent child who ultimately evolved into a celebrated author. Furthermore, the book eloquently portrays the societal transformations that have transpired over the course of the past seven decades.
Born in 1942, Ms. Sivasankari boasts an illustrious literary career that spans over five decades, including an extensive collection of 36 novels, 48 novelettes, 150 short stories, five travelogues, seven collections of essays, and three biographies. She has also curated two anthologies of Tamil short stories.
Ms. Sivasankari’s literary brilliance transcends borders, with many of her works translated into various Indian languages, as well as English, Japanese, and Ukrainian. Her ability to connect with a global audience underscores her remarkable literary versatility.
One of her most notable contributions to Indian literature is her four-volume work, “Knit India Through Literature.” This comprehensive anthology of Indian literature significantly enriches the literary landscape of the country.
The ‘Saraswati Samman’ stands as one of India’s most prestigious literary awards, honoring exceptional literary achievements by Indian citizens. To be eligible for this honor, the recognized works must have been published in any of the languages included in Schedule VIII of the Indian Constitution within the last decade. As of now, 32 ‘Saraswati Samman’ awards have been presented to deserving authors, with Sivasankari’s memoir, “Surya Vamsam,” joining the illustrious list of recipients.