Media Release
New Delhi, Mar 26: The K.K. Birla Foundation has announced that the prestigious Saraswati Samman for 2025 has been awarded to eminent Bengali author Dr Ramkumar Mukhopadhyay for his novel Hara-Parbati Katha.
Published in 2020, the work was selected following an intensive three-tier evaluation process involving books published between 2015 and 2024. Recognized as one of the highest literary honors in the country, the Saraswati Samman carries a cash prize of Rs 15 lac, a citation, and a plaque.
The winning work
Dr Ramkumar Mukhopadhyay’s winning novel, Hara-Parbati Katha, is deeply rooted in Indian mythology and revisits the tale of Shiva and Parvati with a modern aesthetic sensibility. The narrative describes how Parvati gradually transforms into a compassionate mother of Shiva’s kingdom, while Shiva himself undergoes a change under her influence to take up farming.
This agricultural shift is depicted not just for family food security, but as a means to mitigate hunger for the entire community around Kailash. The work is noted for its profound philosophical depth and its ability to reflect contemporary social realities through ancient traditions.
Selection process
The selection was finalized by a high-level Chayan Parishad presided over by Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri, former judge of the Supreme Court of India. The Parishad reached its final decision after considering recommendations from five Kshetra Samities and 22 Bhasha Samities.
Mukhopadhyay’s novel was chosen from a final shortlist of five books, which also included Patjhad mein Vasant by Sheela Jhunjhunwala, Repati Maidanam by N. Gopi, Corona Som Dwngse Sungdo Kharimin by Anil Kumar Boro, and Daat Kala Paoos by Bharat Sasne.
About the author
Born in 1956 in Kolkata, Dr Ramkumar Mukhopadhyay has had a distinguished career in Indian literature and academia. He served as the Regional Secretary for East and North-East India at the Sahitya Akademi and later worked as the Director of the Publishing Department at Visva-Bharati.
Throughout his career, he has published nine novels and 11 collections of short stories, receiving numerous accolades including the Bankimchandra Smriti Puraskar and the Ananda Puraskar. He currently serves as the president of the Sarat Samity.