Wednesday, March 9 2005 20:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Houston: UK-based Sikh author Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti, whose controversial play 'Behzti' which depicts rape and murder in a fictional Gurudwara, has won the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize.

The Houston-based prize is given annually for an outstanding play by a woman. The prize, carrying a cash award of $ 10,000, was presented to Bhatti at a private reception in London on Monday night (Mar 7, 2005).

Sikh protestors in the UK held violent demonstrations forcing the cancellation of Bhatti's play by Birmingham Repertory Theatre in December.

The Sikh playwright was forced to go into hiding after she received threats of abduction and murder.

Following the cancellation of her play, Bhatti issued a statement published in 'The Guardian' saying, "Unfortunately the contents of 'Behzti' seem to have been taken out of context by many. Surely it is only by reading or seeing the whole thing that anyone can usefully comment on the play's merits and flaws. I certainly did not write 'Behzti' to offend."

British actors, writers and other leading figures from the world of arts had expressed support for Bhatti.