Nandini Sidha Reddy and 23 others honoured with Sahitya Akademi Award 2025

Telangana poet Nandini Sidha Reddy was among 24 writers and poets honoured with the Sahitya Akademi Award 2025 , receiving recognition in the Telugu category for his poetry collection Animesha . The book, whose title means “one who does not blink,” explores human relationships, migration, and the social impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic , capturing the emotional and cultural upheaval of contemporary society. Born in 1955 in Medak district, Telangana , Sidha Reddy is a poet, lyricist, teacher and social activist who played a key role in the Telangana statehood movement and later served as the first chairman of the Telangana Sahitya Akademi .

Congratulating him, Telangana CM A. Revanth Reddy said Sidha Reddy’s work portrays the plight of humanity and the breakdown of relationships during the pandemic, describing him as a distinguished poet and major contributor to Telangana literature .

The awards ceremony, held at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi , was part of the annual Festival of Letters organised by the Sahitya Akademi . Alongside Sidha Reddy, prominent awardees included Navtej Sarna for his English novel Crimson Spring , based on the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre , and Mamta Kalia for her Hindi memoir Jeete Jee Allahabad . Each recipient received an engraved copper plaque , a shawl and Rs 1 lakh in prize money.

Addressing the gathering, poet and former Sahitya Akademi president Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari said society must honour deserving individuals , noting that writers often create literature simply as an act of expression, yet their work ultimately benefits society . Reflecting on history, he noted that literature once flourished under royal patronage , with poets like Bihari and Padmakar receiving support from rulers.

Other awardees included Prasun Bandyopadhyay, Yogesh Vaidya, Amresh Nugadoni, N Prabhakaran, Raju Baviskar, Jinder, Jitender Kumar Soni, Sa Tamilselvan, Pritpal Singh Betab, Bhagwan Atlani, Sumitra Soren, Bhadreshdas Swami, Girijakumar Baliyar Singh, Prakash Bhattarai and Haobam Nalini .

Instituted in 1954 , the Sahitya Akademi Award remains one of India’s most prestigious literary honours , celebrating the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity.