Santali National Literature Award : Santali Sahitya Akademi

A National Academy of Letters, or as called Sahitya Akademi, was founded on 12 March 1954 to promote, foster, co-ordinate literary activities in all Indian languages and also for the promotion and development of literature in languages of India. It encourages and assists in literary works for publishing or for the translation of literary works in various Indian languages. Sahitya Akademi is also engaged in actitivies related to literary works, like holding literary conferences, seminars, exhibition, promoting research, recognising literary works and writers for outstanding works among many others activities.

Every year the Sahitya Akademi awards writers for their literary works recognised by the organisation. From the year 2005 onwards the Sahitya Akademi awards are given every year for the outstanding literary works in Santhali literature.

Santali literature has started getting its recognition with some institution like Sahitya Akademi Award in India is a literary honour which prizes all to the most outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the major Indian languages recognized by the Akademi .


Categories in this award :

1. Sahitya Akademi Award
2. Bhasha Samman Award
3. Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize
4. Yuva Puraskar
5. Bal Sahitya Puraskar






Aruj Charan Hembram with Sahitya Akademi Award 2013 in Santali literature.




Anpa Kumar Mandi for Sahitya Akademi Award 2011 for Santali Literature.


Santali Sahitya akademi award 2005 Jadumani Besra
Jadumani Besra (right) with award for 2005, in Santali literature.


Santali Sahitya akademi 2012 Gangadhar Hansda
Gangadhar Hansda with award 2012 for Santali literature.


Below you can get information about awardee in Santali literature .

Sahitya Akademi Award (Main)


The Annual Sahitya Akademi Award is awarded to an Indian author for the most outstanding original book published in India, first published in any of the languages recognised by the Sahitya Akademi. First ever Awards were given in 1955 by the Sahitya Akademi, and for the santhali language Bhasha Samman was awarded to Dr. Doman Sahu 'Samir' in 1997.

The Sahitya Akademi Award carries an casket containing an engraved copper-plaque, shawl and an amount of Rs. 1 lakh

For santhali language Jadumani Besra was first awarded for his poetry (Bhabna) in 2005. Thereafter, every year the Akademi awards authors for their outstanding work in santhali.

Kali Charan Hembran was selected for Sahitya Akademi Awards 2019 (Santhali) for his short stories Sisirjali. The award was presented on 25 February 2020.


Year Book Awardee
2019 Sisirjali (Short Stories) Kali Charan Hembram
2018 Marom (Novel) Shyam Sundar Besra
2017 Tahen.ang Tangi Re(Poetry) Bhujanga Tudu
2016 Nalha (Poetry) Gobinda Chandra Majhi
2015 Parsi Khatir (Play) Rabilal Tudu
2014 Mala Mudam (Play) Jamadar Kisku
2013 Chanda Bonga (Poetry) Arjun Charan Hembram
2012 Banchao Akan Gaj Hor (Short stories) Gangadhar Hansda
2011 Banchao Larhai (Poetry) Aditya Kumar Mandi
2010 Rahi Ranwak Kana (Play) Bhogla Soren
2009 Say Sahed (Poetry) Damayanti Besra
2008 Manmi (Short stories) Badal Hembram
2007 Chet Re Cikayena (Play) Kherwal Saren
2006 Guru Gomke Raghunath Murmu (Biography) Ram Chandra Murmu
2005 Bhabna (Poetry) Jadumani Besra


Bhasha Samman Award


Bhasha Samman was instituted in 1996 to be given to writers, sholars, editors, collectors, performers or translators who have made considerable to the propagation, modernization or enrichment of the languages concerned. It is given for literary creativity as well as academic research in non-recognised languages. Members of the Advisory Board of the Akademi and authors who have received any award by the Sahitya Akademi are not eligible for consideration of Bhasha Samman with the exception of any translation work.

Bhasha Samman was awarded to Dr. Doman Sahu 'Samir' in 1997.


Year Awardee
1997 Dr. Doman Sahu 'Samir'


Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize

Year Book title Translator Original Title Author
2019 Aikao Kherwal Saren Anubhab (Bengali - Novel) Dibbendu Palit
2018 Sen Dareyak'an Menkhan Chedak Rupchand Hansda Jetepari Kintu Keno Jabo (Bengali - Poetry) Sakti Chattopadhyay
2017 Matkom Rasa Surya Singh Besra Madhushala (Hindi - Poetry) Harivansh Rai Bachchan
2016 Bhognadi Reyak Dahire Ganesh Thakur Hansda Bhagnadihir Mathe (Bengali - Novel) Panchu Gopal Bhaduri
2015 Baplanij Tala Tudu Porineeta (Bengali - Novel) Saratchandra Chattopadhyay
2013 Malang Anal Mangal Majhi (Murmu) Bhagya Chakra (Bengali - Novel) Haradhan Adhikari
2012 Ita Chetan Re Ita Rabindra Nath Murmu Iter Upar It (Bengali - Novel) Mahashweta Devi
2011 Santal Pahra (Vol I & II) Thakurdas Murmu Santal Lokakatha (Vol I & II) (Odiya - Short Stories) Binod Bihari Das
2010 Rahla Raybar Sobha Nath Beshra Meghdoot (Sanskrit - Poetry) Kalidas


Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar

Year Book Awardee
2019 Jarpi Disomrin Manmi (Poetry) Guhiram Kisku
2018 Hopon Mayak Kukmu (Short Stories) Rani Murmu
2017 Marsal Dahar (Poetry) Maina Tudu
2016 Dhunwa Otang Ag Kana (Poetry) Parimal Hansdah
2015 Bera Ahla (Poetry) Suchitra Hansda
2014 Namal (Poetry) Anpa Marndi
2013 Terang (Short Story) Lalchand Saren
2012 Jala Dag (Poetry) Shyam Chandra Tudu
2011 Jagron Satilal Murmu


Bal Sahitya Puraskar

Year Book Awardee
2019 Jharumjhag (Poetry) Lakshman Chandra Saren
2018 Budi Goag Garn Thaylag (Short Stories) Laxminarayan Hansda
2017 Olon Baha (Short Stories) Joba Murmu
2016 Sisir Jali (Poetry) Kuhu Dular Hansda
2015 Haryar Mayam (Poetry) Srikanta Saren
2014 Bachra Bayar (Poetry) Kanhailal Tudu
2013 Dombe Baha (Poetry) Sari Dharam Hansda
2012 Jib Jiyali Kowag Gidra Kahni (Short Stories) Pitambar Hansda
2011 Singar Akhra (Poetry) Nuhum Hembram
2010 (Total Contribution to Children's Literature) Boyha Biswanatha Tudu