Guntur writer wins Sahitya Akademi Award for literary work 'Deepika'

GUNTUR-based writer and advocate Penugonda Lakshminarayana has been named the winner of the Sahitya Akademi Award 2024 (Telugu) for his literary criticism work Deepika, a compilation of 36 progressive essays.

- BANDHAVI ANNAM @Guntur

The seventy-year-old, renowned for his literary contributions, has authored acclaimed works like Viditha, Aneka, and the poetry collection Repatiloki.

The announcement was made on Wednesday as part of the Central Sahitya Akademi Awards for 21 Indian languages. Expressing his joy over the recognition, Lakshminarayana said, "I never in my wildest dreams expected to receive this award. I am honoured and beyond happy."

Speaking with TNIE, he shared his journey into progressive literature, revealing how his fascination with Telugu literature during college and his belief in Marxism shaped his passion.

Despite practising law as a registered advocate at the Guntur Bar Association for five decades, Lakshminarayana emphasised that literature remains his lifelong devotion.