New Delhi, Mar 10 (PTI): Eminent Konkani writer Mahabaleshwar Sail has been honoured with the Saraswati Samman 2016 for his novel 'Hawthan'.

The 74-year-old writer's novel, published in 2009, was shortlisted from 22 books written in as many languages.

The selection for the award, given every year for an outstanding literary work written in any Indian language by an Indian citizen and published during the last 10 years, is made by a jury presided by former chief justice A S Anand.

The award carries a cash prize of 15 lac and a citation.

Hailing from Sadashivgad in Uttara Kannada, Goa-based Sail is a renowned bi-lingual writer who has four Marathi dramas and seven Konkani novels to his credit.

He has also written five short stories and a novel in Marathi. His book 'Hawthan' is a well-researched work of fiction presenting the cultural map of the traditional potter community of Goa. It has been translated into English as 'Kiln' and into Kannada as 'Aavige'.

The previous recipients of the Saraswati Samman, instituted by K K Birla Foundation, include former Union minister M Veerappa Moily, S L Bhyrappa, K Aiyappa Panickar, Vijay Tendulkar, Padma Sachdev and Harivansh Rai Bachchan.