Singh is the 10th Hindi author to win the award, joining among others the likes of Sumitra Nandan Pant, Ramdhari Singh Dinkar. He'll be 49th Jnanpith Award winner.
80-year-old Singh, born on July 7, 1934 in village Chakia of district Ballia in Uttar Pradesh, Kedarnath completed his graduation from Uday Pratap College Varnasi. He passed M.A. from Kashi Hindu Vidyalaya and completed his Ph.D from same university. After working as a teacher, he joined as a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University and later became the head of department of Hindi Language in Indian Language Center.
Kedarnath has penned the many essays and stories including Abhi Bilkul Abhi, Zameen Pak Rahi Hai, Akaal Mein Saaras, Yahan Se Dekho, Tolstoy Aur Cycle, Kalpana Aur Chhayavad, Kabristan Mein Panchayat, Mere Samay Ke Shabd and Taana Baana among others. He has been honoured with Kumaran Aashan and Vyas Award.
Jnanpith Award includes Rs. 11 lakh and a citation. The award was instituted in 1961 and is awarded to the author who writes in the official languages of India.