Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 19: Theatre director, late Kavi Ratan has been selected posthumously for the 5th edition of Ramesh Mehta Memorial Award for his outstanding contribution in the field of theatre.
This award was established and being administered jointly by the family of late Ramesh Mehta and the Hindi Sahitya Mandal, Jammu, in memory of late Ramesh Mehta, a writer, editor, and former Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
This award will be presented to Shashi Ratan, wife of late Kavi Ratan, a renowned theatre personality, in a ceremony in Jammu on November 6, to commemorate the upcoming birthday of late Ramesh Mehta (November 13).
This decision was announced in a joint press release issued by late Ramesh Mehta’s daughter, Pavitra Mehta, on behalf of the Mehta family, and Dr Chanchal Dogra, on behalf of the Hindi Sahitya Mandal. The permanent jury, nominated by the family and the Mandal, unanimously decided today and formally communicated its decision to the Mehta family and Hindi Sahitya Mandal.
Ramesh Mehta Memorial Award is given for the performing and fine arts, Hindi literature and writing, including Hindi journalism, Hindi-English writing related to the arts; and for the promotion and encouragement of Hindi teaching, literature, and arts.
This is the first time that the Ramesh Mehta Award will be given posthumously to an artist from Jammu. As is known, the award includes a prize money of Rs 11000/-, a citation and a shawl, and the award presentation ceremony is organized in collaboration with the Hindi Sahitya Mandal.
Earlier, in 2021, the award was given to Raj Bharti, Director of Viraj Kala Kendra and Viraj Bal Bharti; in 2022, to painter-journalist Jang S. Varman and singer-musician Sham Sajan; in 2023, to theatre artist Deepak Kumar; and in 2024, to Shiv Dobaliya, a bearer of Basohli’s folk culture.
The permanent jury for the Ramesh Mehta Memorial Award includes renowned Hindi short story writer and retired Principal Prof Kiran Bakshi; poet and retired Principal Prof Chanchal Dogra and Padmashree Prof Lalit Magotra.
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