The Government of Sikkim has announced the list of awardees for the 211th Bhanu Jayanti celebration, to be held on July 13. The annual state-level event commemorates the birth anniversary of Adikavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya, a revered figure in Nepali literature who famously translated the Ramayana from Sanskrit into Nepali, giving the language a spiritual and literary foundation. Every year, Bhanu Jayanti is celebrated with grandeur across Sikkim and other Nepali-speaking regions, bringing together poets, artists, writers, and cultural practitioners. The celebrations include cultural performances, poetry recitations, and public tributes, with awards being the highlight of the event. These honours recognise individuals who have made outstanding contributions to language, literature, music, dance, theatre, journalism, and visual arts.
This year, the prestigious Bhanu Award will be conferred on Mr. Shankardev Dhakal, a renowned literary scholar and writer, known for his lifelong dedication to the Nepali language and literature. Mr. Dhakal will be felicitated with a copper plaque, a traditional shawl, a certificate of appreciation, and a cash prize of ₹51,000 for his service to Nepali literary heritage. In addition to the Bhanu Award, the state has announced recipients under two other major categories — Bhasha Gaurav Samman (Language Pride Honour) and Sevashree Samman (Service Honour) — which collectively celebrate Sikkim’s rich multilingual and multicultural identity. Under the Bhasha Gaurav Samman, two individuals will be honoured for their exemplary work in indigenous languages:
Pushpa Choden Thomas Lepcha – for contributions to Lepcha language and literature
Hissey Ringzing Bhutia – for contributions to Bhutia language and literature
The Sevashree Samman, which recognises service across various cultural domains, includes the following awardees:
Language Service Honour: Abhinarayan Mishra and Mrs. Chandra Rai
Literature Service Honour: Wangdi Chhiring Lama
Music Service Honour: CB Gurung
Drama Service Honour: Pushparaj Adhikari
Journalism Service Honour: Dilliram Dulal
Painting Service Honour: Paras Rai
Dance Service Honour: Kiran Lama
Each awardee has made a distinct mark in their respective field, contributing to the preservation and promotion of Sikkim’s cultural diversity. From language preservation to artistic innovation, their efforts have helped strengthen the state’s cultural fabric and inspire future generations.