1994 (Posthumous)

Kavisamrat Viswanatha Satyanarayana

Kavisamrat Viswanatha Satyanarayana, a towering figure in Telugu literature for over half a century.


1995

Sri Charla Ganapathi Sastry

Sri Charla Ganapathi Sastry is a multifaceted scholar, linguist, and Gandhian, renowned for translating vast amounts of Sanskrit literature into Telugu.


1996 (Posthumous)

Smt. Vutukuri Lakshmi Kanthamma

Smt. Vutukuri Lakshmi Kanthamma, a literary giant and social worker.


1997

Dr. Pullela Sri Rama Chandrudu

Dr. Pullela Sri Rama Chandrudu is a scholar known for his research publications in grammar, Vedanta, and Alankara Sastras.


1998

Sri Maampalli Sarabheswara Sarma

Sri Maampalli Sarabheswara Sarma is a literary giant skilled in writing, commentary, criticism, and translating Sanskrit works into Telugu.


1999

Sri Gunturu Seshendra Sarma

Sri Gunturu Seshendra Sarma is considered one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.


2000

Sri Yeluripati Ananta Ramayya

Sri Yeluripati Ananta Ramayya is a highly respected scholar of both Telugu and Sanskrit literature.


2002

Dr. Dasaradhi Ranga Charya

Dr. Dasaradhi Ranga Charya is an influential writer whose novels, essays, poems, and biographies left an indelible mark on 20th-century readers.


2004

Sri Salaka Raghunatha Sarma

Sri Salaka Raghunatha Sarma is recognised for his significant contributions to Telugu and Sanskrit literature through research, commentaries, and academic works.


2006

Prof. Kovela Sampathkumaracharya

Prof. Kovela Sampathkumaracharya is lauded for his contributions to Telugu literary criticism, poetry, and works on Telugu literary history.


2008

Prof. Chekuri Rama Rao

Prof. Chekuri Rama Rao was honoured for his in-depth studies of the modern Telugu language, analysis of poetry and prosody, and outstanding literary criticism.


2010

Dr. Malathi Chendur

Dr. Malathi Chendur, a household name and institution in Telugu media, is known for her insightful discussions on social and political issues for over five decades.


2012

Prof. Bethavolu Ramabrahmam

Prof. Bethavolu Ramabrahmam is a renowned scholar, poet, storyteller, translator, and teacher of Sanskrit.


2016

Dr. Dwadasi Nageswara Sastry

Dr. Dwadasi Nageswara Sastry is a prolific writer with numerous works, including poetry collections, literary criticism studies, and a comprehensive history of Telugu literature.


2017

Sri. Indraganti Srikanth Sarma

Sri Indraganti Srikanth Sarma is a multifaceted literary figure who began his career in journalism and later contributed as a radio scriptwriter, editor, lyricist, novelist, poet, and documentarian.


2018

Prof. Velcheru Narayana Rao

Prof. Velcheru Narayana Rao is a distinguished translator who brought classic Telugu works like Gurajada Apparao's "Kanyasulkam" and Allasani Peddana's "Manu Charitramu" to English audiences. He also co-authored books on South Indian history and Telugu poetry.


2019

Prof. Mudikonda Siva Prasad

Prof. Mudikonda Siva Prasad, a celebrated author hailed as the "Charitrika Navala Chakravarti" (Emperor of Historical Novels) for his captivating storytelling, powerful use of Telugu language, and ability to portray history from the common man's perspective.


2020

Prof. Smt Chunduri Mrunalini


2021

Sri. Vadapalli Sesha Talpa Sayee