JEDDAH, 22 March 2008 — Professor Nizar Rahman, an Indian from the state of Kerala who is working in the Saudi city of Al-Kharj, has won the top prize in the C.H. Smaraka Pravasi Sahithya Puraskaram, an award instituted by Samskrithi in memory of the veteran Muslim League leader C.H. Muhammad Koya.
Rahman won the award for his poem named “Ena Pirinhawar”in the Kerala language of Malayalam. Other winners were Joseph Athirunkal in Riyadh (for his short story), Basheer Vallikkunnu in Jeddah and Abdussamad Kalladikode in Riyadh (for their articles on the pathetic condition of Indian expatriate workers; and growing suicide cases respectively).
Samskrithi, a cultural organization in Jeddah, announced its decision to give literary awards last year as part of its efforts to promote literary activities among Keralites in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. Winners are selected after inviting entries in story writing (short story/novelette /fiction/travelogue), articles on a contemporarily socio-political topic, and poetry in Malayalam.
N. Mohammed Kutty, chairman of Samskrithi, said a substantial number of contestants had taken part in the contest, adding that the toppers were short-listed by a panel of judges comprising writers, academics and journalists in Jeddah. Renowned authors Civic Chandran, P. Surendran and M.I. Thangal later picked the winners.
Apart from certificates, the winners will receive mementos and cash prizes. The prize money for A grade shall be Rs.20,000 and for B grade Rs.10,000. According to Mohammed Kutty, only Rahman received A grade while Basheer and Abdussamad shared the prize for article. Samskrithi plans to hold a glittering ceremony next month to distribute the prizes.
Various dignitaries including leaders of cultural organizations, writers, artists and media personalities are expected to attend the function on April 8.
