JJHanna Awardee 2022

meet our past awardee

Ujjwala Jyoti Tigga

Description Ujjwala Jyoti Tigga, a prominent writer from the Urawan tribal community, passed away on 18th April 2023. Her manuscript ‘Dharti Ke Anam Yoddha’ (a poetry collection) has been selected for posthumous

recognition. She was born on 17th February 1960 in Delhi. She completed her early education at the Kendriya Vidyalaya, Delhi in 1976. Later, in 1979, she earned her Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Jesus and Mary College, Chanakyapuri, Delhi, and in 1981, she completed her Master’s in Political Science from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. In 1983, she joined the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Delhi, as a Section Officer. Ujjwala had a natural inclination towards writing since childhood and she wrote in both Hindi and English. Her poems delve deep into tribal life, struggles, and various facets of humanity, offering a profound perspective on these themes.

If you would like to read this award-winning poetry collection, click here.

Remon Longku

Description Born on 1st June 1996, Remon Longku belongs to the Tangsa First Nation (Adivasi/Indigenous) community and hails from Changlang district in Arunachal

Pradesh. He writes in both his mother tongue, 'Tangsa', and Hindi. Remon completed his Master’s and M.Phil. in Hindi from Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh). Currently, he is pursuing his Ph.D. at the North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya. His manuscript ‘Kongkong-Fangfang: Arunachal Ke Headhunters Ki Kahaniyan’ (Stories of the Headhunters of Arunachal) is his first short story collection written in Hindi, which has been selected for recognition. This collection highlights the fascinating and historical aspects of Arunachal Pradesh, shedding light on the First Nation lifestyle and presenting the cultural diversity of India as a whole.

If you would like to read this award-winning short story collection, click here.

Sunil Gaikwad

Description

Sunil Gaikwad, a teacher by profession, was born on 1st June 1977 in Jalgaon district, Maharashtra, into a Bhil First Nation family. He has completed his M.A. in Marathi literature. Sunil writes in his mother tongue 'Bhil' and Marathi, and has published several books in both languages. His autobiographical novel ‘Dakait Devsing Bhil Ke Bachche’ (The Children of Dacoit Devsing Bhil) is his first work published in Hindi. The novel delves into the struggles of the Bhil community, their hardships, and their position in society. This work has been selected for the Jaipal-Julius-Hannah Award, further acknowledging the excellence of his writing.

If you would like to read this award-winning novel, click here.

All three of these writers bring to light the lives, struggles, and cultural heritage of the Adivasi communities in India. Their works are not only significant from a literary standpoint but also highlight the identity and the challenges faced by the tribal population, offering a true and nuanced portrayal of their world.