Ali Shaida Wins Sahitya Akademi Award 2025 in Kashmiri for Najdavaneky Pot Aalav | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Kashmiri poet Ali Shaida has been selected for the 2025 Sahitya Akademi Award in Kashmiri for his poetry collection Najdavaneky Pot Aalav, according to official communication from the Sahitya Akademi under the Union Ministry of Culture.

The award, among India’s most prestigious literary honours, is conferred annually on outstanding works in 24 recognised Indian languages. The Akademi carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and is awarded following a multi-tier evaluation process involving advisory boards, referees and a three-member jury.

Ali Shaida’s work emerged as the top-ranked entry among a list of 11 shortlisted Kashmiri titles. The jury, constituted by the Akademi, placed Najdavaneky Pot Aalav at the highest priority, ahead of works such as Han Han Talash by Fayaz Tilgami and Ka : ne va : lay by Shoukat Hussain Teji.

In a detailed assessment, jury member Rattanlal Hangloo described Shaida’s poetry as “rooted in literary scholarship” with “linguistic integrity, cultural sensitivity and contemporary relevance.” The evaluation noted that the work demonstrates a balance between traditional Kashmiri linguistic forms and modern expression, while engaging with themes such as cultural memory, identity, ecology, gender, faith and resilience.

The jury further observed that Shaida’s poetry makes “authentic and innovative” use of Kashmiri vocabulary, idioms and metaphors, contributing to the preservation and modernisation of the language. It highlighted the collection’s ability to influence readers, stimulate critical thinking and expand the reach of Kashmiri literature to wider audiences.

The selection followed the Akademi’s prescribed procedure, which includes preparation of a ground list of eligible books published between 2019 and 2023, recommendations by Language Advisory Board members, scrutiny by preliminary referees, and final evaluation by a jury. The Executive Board of the Akademi formally approves the jury’s recommendation before the declaration of the award.

Other shortlisted works across poetry, criticism, essays and fiction were assessed but were noted by the jury to have varying limitations in terms of linguistic depth, thematic breadth and critical engagement.

The names of the jury members and final selections are made public only after formal approval by the Akademi’s Executive Board, as per institutional norms.

The Sahitya Akademi Award is regarded as a major recognition in Indian literature, acknowledging works that contribute significantly to linguistic, cultural and literary advancement.