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The 2007 winners of the Kulkarni Arts and
Humanities Award pose with Dr. Kulkarni at the awards ceremony held at
the IU India Studies House in Bloomington. From left: Jonathan Sidhu,
Neelam Shah, Dr. Kulkarni, and Sanjay Mohanty.
Presented by the Indiana University
India Studies Program
1st Place - $1,500.00
2nd Place - $1,000.00
3rd Place - $500.00
Deadline for entries:
July 31, 2008
The Kishor
M. Kulkarni Arts and Humanities Prize on Modern India competition is
open to permanent residents and citizens of the United States who are
high school juniors or seniors, undergraduate or graduate students at a U.S. college or university, or
between the ages of 16 and 25, with ancestry in what is now the Republic
of India, whose principal residence is in the United States.
Entries may be submitted in one of two categories: (1)
Analytic - an essay analysis of political, economic, cultural or social
issues as they impact modern India or (2) Creative Writing - a short
story, poetry, novella, drama, or travelogue related to modern India. A distinguished
panel of jurors will evaluate submissions in each category, and first,
second, and third places will be awarded to the best qualified entries
from both categories. High School students will be eligible to win only
the third place award.
Entries must be original work primarily produced within twelve (12)
months prior to the application deadline. Entries must be postmarked by no
later than July 31, 2008.
The winner of the competition will be announced in September, 2008.
Presentation of the awards will be made in the fall of 2008. The
decision of the judges is final and the India Studies Program will decide
all questions of eligibility.
Click here for entry form.
Comments by former
winners:
"Being awarded the Kulkarni prize has been
one of my most significant honors! Not only was it encouraging to me as a novice writer, but it also
helped me understand the significance of my research on India in a greater realm. My favorite part of
the experience was the reception, when I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Kulkarni himself as well as
the other award winners and various university-affiliated faculty and community members. Discussing
my paper with them over dinner inspired me to continue doing research, not just on homosexuality, but
specifically on homosexuality in India, a topic that I had earlier thought was unapproachable.
Thank you so much for this amazing experience!"
Neelam Shah
"It was certainly an honor to receive the
Kulkarni prize, and the award has encouraged me to pursue further scholarship related to India. I
appreciate the genuine interest of Dr. Kulkarni and the India Studies Program in my development as
a writer and thinker. The greatest honor, I think, was attending the reception and meeting the faculty
of the program, the Kulkarnis, and the other prize recipients. The India Studies Program's true
commitment to aspiring South Asian writers and scholars through the Kulkarni prize is particularly laudable.
Jonathan Sidhu
"It was
encouraging to be rewarded during such a crucial stage of my development
as a fiction writer. I was (and always am!) struggling with my work and
this prize gave me the affirmation and motivation to continue. Of
course, meeting the Kulkarnis was the greatest pleasure and honor. They
were warm and genuinely interested in the growth and future of Indian
diasporic art, and I truly admire their commitment to rewarding young
artists and writers."
Shivani Manghnani
"The Kulkarni Prize was an important
affirmation at this early period in my writing career, when such
affirmations are most needed. I appreciate the active role that the
India Studies Program has played in promoting new work from young
writers and scholars from South Asia."
Tania James
The Kulkarni Prize was established to foster close and friendly
relations between the United States and the Republic of India, to
encourage young people of Indian descent or ancestry to take greater
interest in India and issues relating to India, and to reward and
recognize the achievements of young people of Indian descent or ancestry.
India and the United States share many important features: both have
democratic governments, both have diverse populations and geographical
terrain, and both offer religious freedom and have no state religion. In
addition, India has dozens of major languages and a rich civilization,
thousands of years old. India is the birthplace of the Hindu, Buddhist,
Sikh and Jain religions, and its Muslim population is one of the largest
in the world. It is the land of Mahatma Gandhi, of meditation and yoga,
and of the young entrepreneurs who are leading India's surging economy.
Kishor
Kulkarni grew up in Mumbai (Bombay). His father passed away when Kishor
was young, but has been his lifelong inspiration. Kishor credits his
mother for his interest in volunteer activities and concern for others.
She passed away in early 2000. Kishor is close to his brother Mohan and
sister Sudha. Kishor came to the United States in 1965, and founded
Advanced Metalworking in 1984. He and his wife, Josie, married in 1970.
The Kulkarnis have two children: Veena, a pianist and an IU Wells
Scholar, received her master's degree from IU and Ph.D. from the
University of Michigan; and Jeff received a BA from Yale and doctorate
from Oxford University in the U.K.
Kishor and Josie have supported the India Studies Program from its
inception. The Kishor M. Kulkarni Arts and Humanities Prize on Modern
India will benefit young US residents and citizens with Indian ancestry.
It is important that they know India through study and a genuine love for
the country. The program has several important objectives: to encourage
these young people to take more interest in India and pride in their
roots; to not only benefit personally from their rich heritage, but also
to promote closer relations between the United States and India; to
recognize important achievements in arts and humanities relating to India;
and to further enhance the reputation of the India Studies program.
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