Amitabh Bachchan to present Shahryar with Jnanpith Award

New Delhi: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan is all set to present Urdu poet Shahryar with the Jnanpith Award for his outstanding contribution to literature.

Shahryar, 75, who has also penned lyrics for Bollywood films such as `Gaman`, `Umrao Jaan` and `Anjuman`, will receive the award at a ceremony here next month. "On September 18, famous Urdu poet Shahryar will be bestowed with the 2008 Jnanpith Award. The chief guest of the event, Amitabh Bachchan, will be here to honour him," said Ravindra Kaliya, director, Jnanpith. The event will also witness a book launch titled `Shahryar Shayaries` compiled by lyricist Gulzar. Jnanpith is also looking at launching a book of poems by Harivansh Rai Bachchan. Jnanpith, the highest literary award of India, was established in 1961 and every year poets from various vernacular languages of India are felicitated for their extra-ordinary work in their respective fields. PTI