New Delhi, March 26 -- Eminent Bengali writer Ramkumar Mukhopadhyay was on Wednesday selected for the 35th Saraswati Samman (2025) for his novel 'Hara Parbati Katha', published in 2020. Instituted in 1991 by KK Birla Foundation, the Saraswati Samman is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the country. It is given annually to an outstanding literary work published during the past 10 years by an Indian citizen in any language included in Schedule VIII of the Constitution. It carries an award of Rs.15 lakh, a citation, and a plaque. The recipient is selected by a committee currently presided over by justice Arjan Kumar Sikri, former judge of the Supreme Court. Rooted in Indian mythology, the novel reimagines the story of Parvati and Shiva through a contemporary lens. It traces Parvati's evolution from the daughter of a wealthy family into a compassionate and resilient figure, while Shiva, influenced by her presence, undergoes a transformation of his own - turning to cultivation not merely for sustenance but to address the needs of those living in and around Mount Kailash. Blending literary craft with philosophical depth and spiritual insight, Mukhopadhyay revisits the myth with a modern aesthetic sensibility. While anchored in tradition, the narrative reflects contemporary emotional and social realities, giving the work both pan-Indian relevance and wider global appeal. Born on October 5, 1956 in Kolkata, Mukhopadhyay holds a PhD from Jadavpur University. Over a career spanning decades, he has authored nine novels, 11 short story collections, four books of essays and two travelogues. He also has to his credit major anthologies, including a compilation of 103 modern Bengali short stories and a collection of 128 folktales from 54 languages. He has been associated with several academic institutions. Among other honours, he has received the Bankimchandra Smriti Puraskar from the West Bengal government for his novel 'Dukhe Keora'. At present, he serves as the president of the Sarat Samity, an institution established in 1943....