The annual Sahitya Akademi awards for 2017 were presented today at a function in New Delhi. The awards were given in 24 languages. The awarded works includes Seven novels, five collections each of poetries and short stories, five works of literary criticism, a play and a book of essays. <br/><br/>Eminent Novelist and Playwright Kiran Nagarkar was the Chief Guest this year. President of Sahitya Akademi Dr Chandrashekhara Kambara presented the awards. Mrs Mamang Dai received the award in English language for her novel-The Black Hill. Ramesh Kuntal Megh got the award in Hindi for his literary criticism work Vishw Mithak Sarit Sagar. <br/><br/>In Assamese, Jayant Madhab Bora was awarded for his novel Moriahola, Afsar Ahmed received the award for his Bengali Novel Sei Nikhonj Manusta and in Bodo language Rita Boro was presented the honours for her Novel Thwisam. While in Dogri, Shiv Mehta received the award for his short stories 'Banna', Urmi Ghanshyam Desai got the award for her literary criticism Gujarati Vyakaranna Baso Varsh. <br/><br/>T P Ashoka received the award in Kannada language for his literary criticism Kathana Bharathi and Autar Krishen Rahbar got the award for his Kashmiri short stories Yeli Parda Woth. Gajanan Jog was presented award for his Konkani short stories Khand Ani Her Katha and Uday Narayan Singh (Nachiketa) was awarded for his Maithili poetry Jahalak Dairy. <br/><br/>In Malayalam, K P Ramanunni got award for his novel Daivathinte Pusthakam and in Manipuri, Rajen Toijamba got the award for his play Chahee Taret Khuntakpa. In Marathi, Shrikant Deshmukh was awarded for his poetry Bolave Te Amhi and in Nepali, Bina Hangkim got award for literary criticism Kriti Vimarsha. <br/><br/>In Odia, Gayatri Saraf was awarded for her short stories Etavatira Shilpi and in Punjabi, Nachhatar got the award for his novel Slow Down. Neeraj Daiya was awarded for his Rajasthani criticism Bina Hasal Pai and Niranjan Mishra was honoured for his Sanskrit novel Gangaputravadanam. <br/><br/>In Santhali, Bhujanga Tudu got the award for his poetry Tahena Tangi Re and Jagdish Lachhani was awarded for his Sindhi essays Aachhende Laja Maraan. In Telugu, Devipriya was awarded for her poetry Gaali Rangu and in Urdu, Baig Ehsas was honoured for her short stories Dakhma.<br/><br/>The awardee received a casket containing an engraved copper-plaque, a shawl and a cheque of 1 lakh rupees. The Sahitya Akademi also presented its annual prize for translation.