India, May 23 -- Renowned writer Gulzar was honoured with the 58th Jnanpith award for the year 2023 for his "outstanding contribution to Indian literature and the world of Urdu writing" at a warm, informal ceremony at his Pali hill residence on Thursday.

In his brief acceptance speech delivered in impeccable Urdu, Gulzar, dressed in spotless kurta-pyjama with a stole wrapped around his shoulders, advocated the need to strike a greater rapport with Indian languages which, he pointed out, sparkle with myriad moods and metaphors and cater to a larger readership across geographies and cultures.

"You can't dismiss Marathi, Tamil, Bangla or Gujarati as regional languages," he said. "They boast a rich tapestry of experiences and expressions. T...