New Delhi: Telugu author, noted Dalit voice and eminent scholar Prof Kalakaluri Enoch was conferred with the 29th Moortidevi Award of Bharatiya Jnanpith for the year 2015.

The prestigious literary award was bestowed upon him for his novel “ Anantajivanam ” by veteran art historian Dr Kapila Vatsyayana function in New Delhi on Thursday.

Resopnding over receiving the award given by noted historian Dr Kapila Vatsyayan, author Enoch said, "It is a heavy throne. I hope to serve my subjects--my mother tongue and my country with this.''

Describing the work, selection board chairman and Sanskrit writer Satya Vrat Shastri said that the work presented the author's rich life experience and depicts the social awakening of the people. Calling it an uncommon novel'' Shastri said, It is a remarkable work of literature in perception of human values merged from the interaction of society on the day of the cyclone which devastated the district of Anantapur, a rain shadow area of Rayalseema. The novel depicts the human struggle to fight the forces of nature.''

Dr Vatsyayan, giving away the award, said that the author had given nature a human form and presented the struggle of the people. The award has always been given to very prominent authors she added in praise of the honour. "I wish I could read Telugu to read the novel in original'', she said.

About Kalakaluri Enoch

Dr Enoch was born on July 1, 1939 in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. He is a former vice-chancellor of SV University. He has been awarded the Padma Shri, fourth highest civilian award of the country for his contributions to the field of literature.

About Moortidevi Award

The Moortidevi Award is an annual literary award in India founded in 1983. It is presented by the Bharatiya Jnanpith organization for a work which emphasizes Indian philosophy and culture. The award carries a shawl, Saraswati Statue, Citation and a cheque of four lakh rupees.

Bharatiya Jnanpith managing trustee Sahu Akhilesh Jain and board trustee Sahu Swadesh Bhushan Jain were also present at the occasion.