The S.Chandra Award

The S. Chandra Award is the highest recognition conferred by the Sanya Chandra Literature Trust, celebrating outstanding contributions in the fields of literary scholarship, interdisciplinary research, cultural preservation, and linguistic innovation. Inspired by the visionary spirit of Sanya Chandra, the award honors individuals or institutions whose work reflects depth, empathy, and commitment to bridging literature with social consciousness.

The award particularly seeks to recognize emerging voices and scholars working across Indian languages—especially Maithili and English—and those advancing dialogue in areas such as feminism, Dalit studies, and disability studies, which were central to Sanya’s intellectual vision.

S. Chandra Awards & Translation Grant

Rooted in the literary vision of Sanya Chandra, the S. Chandra Awards celebrate excellence in writing, scholarship, and the transformative power of language. These annual awards honor individuals whose work contributes meaningfully to literature, cultural understanding, and the promotion of regional voices—especially in Maithili and English.

Inaugural Ceremony

The first S. Chandra Award will be presented on
📅 July 24, 2026
📍 New Delhi
in a ceremonial evening of literature, music, and reflection, bringing together writers, scholars, artists, and cultural practitioners from across the country and beyond.

This annual event will not only celebrate literary excellence, but also foster dialogue, inclusivity, and interdisciplinary engagement through panels, readings, performances, and exhibitions.

Through this award and its accompanying traditions, the Trust seeks to nurture a living legacy—one that continues to light the path Sanya had envisioned.

Literary Excellence Awards

Best Literary Work – Fiction

• Prize: ₹1,00,000

• Awarded to a published or unpublished work demonstrating literary depth, originality, and cultural significance in the field of fiction (English or Maithili).

🔹 Best Literary Work – Non-Fiction

• Prize: ₹1,00,000

• Awarded to a work that showcases clarity, insight, and contribution to fields such as history, literary criticism, feminism, Dalit studies, disability studies, or social commentary.

🔹 Emerging Voices Recognition

• Five Selected Works

• Prize: ₹25,000 each

• Awarded to promising literary talents whose work reflects potential, experimentation, and engagement with contemporary issues.