The prestigious Vanmali National Katha Samman will be conferred across diverse categories during a three-day literary celebration to be held from February 24 to 26, 2026, in Bhopal, at Ravindra Bhavan and Rabindranath Tagore University.
The Vanmali Katha Samman Samaroh is being jointly organised by Vanmali Srijan Peeth in collaboration with Rabindranath Tagore University, Scope Global Skills University, and AISECT Publications. The awards will be presented at a grand ceremony graced by eminent author and Jnanpith Award recipient Pratibha Ray, who will attend as the Chief Guest.
Vanmali Srijan Peeth—dedicated to preserving and promoting the creative legacy of eminent storyteller, educationist, and thinker Jagannath Prasad Chaube ‘Vanmali’—has announced the following award recipients:
Major National Honours
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Vanmali Kathashirsh Samman: Mridula Garg, celebrated author
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Vanmali Rashtriya Katha Samman: Alka Saraogi, veteran storyteller
(Both awardees will be honoured with a shawl, coconut, citation, and a cash prize of ₹1,00,000 each.)
Other Award Categories
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Vanmali Katha Madhya Pradesh Samman: Urmila Shirish (Bhopal)
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Vanmali Yuva Katha Samman: Kunal Singh
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Vanmali Katha Alochana Samman: Mahesh Darpan
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Vanmali Kathetar Samman: Yatindra Mishra (Ayodhya)
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Vanmali Katha Anuvad Samman (Translation): Jitendra Bhatia
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Vanmali Digital Sahitya Avdaan Samman (Digital Literary Contribution): Anjum Sharma
(Recipients in these categories will each receive a shawl, coconut, citation, and a cash prize of ₹51,000.)
Announcing the event, Santosh Choubey said,
“The Vanmali Katha Samman is a biennial award under the Vishwarang Foundation, dedicated to reviving and celebrating narrative literature that upholds democratic and humanistic values in contemporary storytelling. Over the years, the award has honoured some of India’s most distinguished literary voices, including Mamta Kalia, Chitra Mudgal, Shashank, Swayam Prakash, Akhilesh, Asghar Wajahat, Uday Prakash, Maitreyi Pushpa, Prabhu Joshi, Priyamvad, Geetanjali Shree, and Manoj Rupda.”
Other Highlights of the Event
Launch of the Latest Issue of Vanmali Katha Magazine
The latest issue of Vanmali Katha—a magazine committed to inclusive literary expression and democratic values—will be formally released during the ceremony. Since its inception, the magazine has established a distinct presence by foregrounding the creative voices of the new century.
Literary Dialogues and Thematic Sessions
The three-day programme will feature a series of thought-provoking discussions, including:
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Narrative sensibilities and the evolving language of youth
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Feminine voice and gender perspectives in contemporary fiction
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Storytelling in the digital age: blogs, Insta-stories, microfiction, and podcasts
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Changing readers and the renewed relevance of stories
Theatre and Music Performances
On February 25 at 7:00 PM, Ravindra Bhavan will host a theatrical adaptation of stories by Shri Santosh Choubey, directed by renowned theatre director Sanjay Mehta. Students of the Tagore School of Drama will also present musical performances, adding a vibrant cultural dimension to the celebrations.
