Well-known poet, writer and ghazalkar Pravinchandra Manilal Mehta, popularly known as Amar Palanpuri received the Gujarat Sahitya Akademi’s ‘Vali’ Gujarati Ghazal Paritoshik 2024 at a function held in Surat on February 11, 2024. The award was presented by Shri Harsh Sanghvi, Home Minister and Minister for Cultural Activities, Gujarat.
 

Congratulating the ghazalkar, Shri Sanghavi said that though Amar saheb is 89 years old, he is as spirited as if he is 18! The minister said that poets like Palanpuri have contributed immensely to keeping the traditions of Gujarati literature burning bright and developing Gujarati ghazals alongside Urdu shayari traditions which is a tribute to the renowned poet Vali.
 

In response to Amar Palanpuri’s suggestion to popularise literature, he said that the government would strive to open roadside libraries in different parts of the city to make literature easily accessible to common people.
 

Amar Palanpuri dedicated the award to his mentor, Late Shunya Palanpuri. He also said that he would be giving the prize amount of Rs 1 lakh to Shunya Palanpuri’s family.
 

The writer’s most well-known collection of ghazals have been published in two different books - Ujharada (ઉઝરડા), and Rooz (રૂઝ). More recently some of his writings were also published in a book titled Saathe Tame Raho (સાથે તમે રહો).