Lucknow, Sep 14 (IANS): Eminent writer Kashi Nath Singh was on Monday awarded the Bharat Bharti award, the highest literary award given by the Uttar Pradesh government.

The 78-year-old litterateur was conferred the award by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. The award comes with a citation and a cash reward of Rs.five lakh.

Singh received the Sahitya Akademi award in 2011 for his novel 'Rehan par Ragghu'. He is best known for his novel 'Kashi Ka Assi' -- an adaptation of which has inspired the Bollywood film 'Mohalla Assi'.

The novel, portraying life on the Varanasi ghats, the oddball characters and the student politicians from the 1970s, is considered to be unique in its detailed portrayal of the colourful life of the spiritual capital of India.

Meanwhile, the 'Lohia Sahitya Samman' was given to Mridula Garg from Delhi. Other eminent literary figures, awarded in various other categories on Monday, included Krishna Bihari Mishra and Vinod Kumar Shukla.