Which poetic collection by Sumitranandan Pant won him the Jnanpith Award?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (C) Chidambara

Explanation:
• Legendary Hindi poet Sumitranandan Pant was awarded the prestigious Jnanpith Award in 1968 for his celebrated poetic collection titled *Chidambara*.
• Pant was a leading figure of the 'Chhayavaad' (Romanticism) school of modern Hindi literature, known for his ability to depict natural beauty, humanism, and spiritual philosophy.
• *Chidambara* compiles some of his finest verse, reflecting his creative transition from romantic depictions of nature toward progressive social consciousness and Vedantic spiritual thoughts.
• Receiving this honor brought significant recognition to modern Hindi poetry, establishing Pant as a central figure in India's twentieth-century literary landscape.

Information Booster:
• Sumitranandan Pant was the first Hindi writer to receive the Jnanpith Award, which is India's highest literary honor.
• Born in the scenic hill town of Kausani in Uttarakhand, his childhood exposure to the central Himalayas deeply influenced his work, earning him the title of "Sukumar Kavi of Nature" (the delicate poet of nature).
• Beyond poetry, Pant also wrote essays, verse-plays, and translations, and worked with All India Radio, where he suggested the Hindi name 'Akashvani' for the national broadcaster.

Additional Knowledge:
• Pallav (Option A): One of his earliest and most famous romantic masterpieces, containing poems on youth, love, and changing seasons that helped define early Chhayavaadi aesthetics.
• Kala Aur Budhdha Chand (Option B): A major poetic work that earned him the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1960, showcasing his later philosophical and creative style.
• Veena (Option D): An early foundational collection published during the formative years of his literary career, focused on lyrical devotion to nature.