Kavikulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University Announces “Mahakavi Kalidas Sanskritvrati National Award”
Nagpur : Kavikulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University (KKSU), Ramtek, has officially announced the prestigious “Mahakavi Kalidas Sanskritvrati National Award” for the years 2024 and 2025, honouring eminent scholars for their lifelong contribution to the promotion, propagation, research and development of the Sanskrit language.
The award is instituted in the memory of Pt. Ramnarayan Sharma Vaidya and is jointly organised in collaboration with Pt. Ramnarayan Sharma Ayurveda Research Foundation, Local District Administration, and Maharashtra Tourism Development Board (MTDC), Nagpur.
Honouring Lifetime Dedication to Sanskrit
The objective of the award is to recognise distinguished scholars who have devoted their lives to establishing Sanskrit as a vibrant, scholarly and socially relevant language. Through this national honour, KKSU acknowledges individuals whose work has given Sanskrit a respected and glorious position in academia and society.
The decision to confer the awards was taken in a meeting of the Award Selection Committee, chaired by the then Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Late Prof. Hareram Tripathi. The meeting was attended by:
- Prof. Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Vice Chancellor, Central Sanskrit University
- Dr. Devanand Shukl, Registrar
- Dr. Ramesh Sharma (Baidyanath)
- Mr. Ankit Deshmukh, MTDC
- Dr. Renuka Bokare, Award Committee Coordinator
Award Categories
The Mahakavi Kalidas Sanskritvrati National Award is presented annually in three categories:
- International Sanskrit Scholar
- Senior Sanskrit Scholar
- Young Sanskrit Scholar
Under this award:
- International & Senior Scholars receive ₹50,000
- Young Scholars receive ₹25,000
Along with a citation, shawl and shriphal. All awardees will be honoured at a special felicitation ceremony organised by the University.
Awardees – 2024
| Category | Name | State | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Scholar | Prof. Saroja Bhate | Maharashtra | ₹50,000 |
| Senior Scholar | Prof. Kaluri Hanumantha Rao | Telangana | ₹50,000 |
| Young Scholar | Prof. Veernarayan Pandurangi | Karnataka | ₹25,000 |
Awardees – 2025
| Category | Name | State/Country | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Scholar | Prof. Madhav Deshpande | California, USA | ₹50,000 |
| Senior Scholar | Prof. Krishnakant Sharma | Uttar Pradesh | ₹50,000 |
| Young Scholar | Dr. Sachin Kathale | Maharashtra | ₹25,000 |
Brief Profile Highlights
🌍 International Sanskrit Scholars
Prof. Saroja Bhate (2024) – A globally respected authority in Sanskrit Grammar, Panini’s Ashtadhyayi, Indology and Dharmashastra. Former Head, Department of Sanskrit & Prakrit, Savitribai Phule Pune University, she has led international research collaborations with institutions in Germany, England, Switzerland and Japan. She is the recipient of several prestigious awards including the UGC National Veda Vyasa Sanskrit Award and Maharashtra Government’s Mahakavi Kalidas Sanskrit Sadhana Puraskar.
Prof. Madhav Deshpande (2025) – An internationally acclaimed scholar of Sanskrit grammar, linguistics and Indo-Aryan languages. Former Professor at the University of Michigan, USA, he has authored over 15 books and 150 research papers and is currently Professor Emeritus. His scholarly works have had a lasting global impact on Sanskrit studies.
📜 Senior Sanskrit Scholars
Prof. Kaluri Hanumantha Rao (2024) – A rare blend of scientific training and Sanskrit scholarship, Prof. Rao has authored several notable Sanskrit works on the Ramayana and Mahabharata and translated Shakespeare’s plays into Sanskrit. He is a recipient of the Vyasa Award.
Prof. Krishnakant Sharma (2025) – A renowned authority on Sāṅkhya and Yoga philosophy and former Professor at Banaras Hindu University. Honoured with the President’s Award, his scholarship has significantly enriched Indian philosophical traditions.
🌱 Young Sanskrit Scholars
Prof. Veernarayan Pandurangi (2024) – Director, Purnaprajna Samshodhana Mandiram, Bengaluru, and a scholar of Vedic literature, Vedanta and Indian logic. His Rigveda commentary Vishnuvarchana Bhashya is widely acclaimed. Recipient of the Maharshi Bādarāyaṇa Vyāsa Award.
Dr. Sachin Kathale (2025) – A leading figure in Sanskrit propagation and conversational Sanskrit movement. A long-time worker of Sanskrit Bharati, Dr. Kathale is currently Sub-Editor of Sambhashan Sandesh and All-India Head of Public Outreach.
Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Dr. Atul Vaidya and Hon’ble Registrar Dr. Roshan Alone congratulated all the awardees on behalf of the Kavikulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University family, reaffirming the University’s commitment to preserving and promoting India’s classical knowledge traditions.
