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I will always remember Dr. Priya Ranjan not only as the Chairman of JK Monitor, but as a mentor, guide and elder brother whose kindness shaped my life and work. Write a tribute at BENGALURU: The three-day National Vanmali Katha Samman Ceremony 2026, dedicated to the memory of eminent storyteller, educationist, and thinker Shri Jagannath Prasad Choubey ‘Vanmali’, concluded with distinction in Bhopal. Hosted at SCOPE Global Skills University and Rabindranath Tagore University, the national literary celebration was organized by the Vanmali Srijan Peeth and brought together leading writers, critics, educationists, and students from across the country for a vibrant exchange of ideas, performance, and contemporary storytelling.
The ceremony was presided over by Jnanpith award-winning Odia writer Smt. Pratibha Ray and honoured distinguished authors across categories. Shri Mridula Garg was conferred the Vanmali Katha Shiromani Samman, while Shri Alka Saraogi received the National Vanmali Katha Samman. Both awardees were felicitated with a cash prize of INR 1,00,000, along with a shawl, coconut, and citation.
Other recognitions included the Vanmali Katha Alochana Samman for Shri Mahesh Darpan, Vanmali Katha Madhya Pradesh Samman for Smt. Urmila Shirish, Vanmali Yuva Katha Samman for Shri Kunal Singh, Vanmali Kathetar Samman for Shri Yatindra Mishra, and the Vanmali Digital Sahitya Avdaan Samman for Shri Anjum Sharma.
The inaugural day opened with a moving Kabir singing performance by Padma Shri Shri Prahlad Singh Tipaniya and his ensemble, setting a reflective tone for the festival. The second day featured readings by Smt. Mridula Garg, Smt. Alka Saraogi, and Smt. Pratibha Ray, followed by a thought-provoking session on “Literature in the Digital Age – Reader Transformation and New Relevance,” where Shri Anjum Sharma engaged students in dialogue. The evening concluded with a musical performance by students of Tagore National School of Drama presenting works by Nirala, Nagarjun, Kunwar Narayan, and Santosh Choubey, interwoven with folk-inspired spring compositions. The Rangsheersh Theatre Group staged Choubey’s acclaimed story “Magar Shakespeare Ko Yaad Rakhna,” which resonated strongly with audiences.
The final day included readings by Urmila Shirish, Kunal Singh, and Mahesh Darpan, followed by a panel discussion on “Sensibilities of Contemporary Young Fiction and the Social Landscape,” featuring Smt. Geetashree, Shri Sanjay Shepherd, and Shri Kaifi Hashmi. In the closing address, Shri Santosh Choubey emphasized that literature must cultivate a humane understanding of technology rather than imitate it blindly.
On this occasion, Shri. Santosh Choubey, National President of Vanmali Srijan Peeth, remarked that “The awards represent an effort to reaffirm democratic and humanistic values in contemporary fiction. He emphasized that literature is the sensitive memory of society and keeping it alive is a collective responsibility.”
The festival also saw the release of several publications, including Vanmali Katha magazine, Vanmali Vaarta, Dus Kahaniyan by Smt. Urmila Shirish, Anunad, and Ragmala. With its wide participation and interdisciplinary engagement, the National Vanmali Katha Samman Ceremony 2026 reaffirmed its place as a distinguished national platform celebrating literature and cultural dialogue.
