NEW DELHI: Nilmani Phookan and Damodar Mauzo have been awarded the Jnanpith Award, the country's highest literary award. Nilmani Phookan, an Assamese writer, was nominated for last year's Jnanpith Award. Damodar Mauzo Konkani writer bagged this year’s award. Phookan, also a poet was awarded the Padma Shri in 1990 for his comprehensive contribution. Mauzo is a Goan short story writer, novelist, critic and Konkani screenwriter.

Phookan poems are inspired by French symbolism. His major works are Surya Henu Nami Aahe Ee Nodiyedi, Gulapi Jamur Lagna and Kobita. Gathen, Sapan Mog, and Tsunami Simon are Mauzo’s major works.