Ankara - Turkish author Yasar Kemal on Thursday was awarded Turkey's highest cultural honour when he was presented with the state Culture and Arts Prize at a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Ankara.

The controversial author of Kurdish descent has been a long-time critic of various Turkish policies concerning the Kurdish problem, spending time in police detention for his views and has at times lived in exile.

It was for his critical stance on human rights issues that until now Kemal (85) has been largely ignored by official circles in Turkey, despite being awarded various international arts prizes including the 1997 Peace Prize of the German Book Trade.

Kemal published his first novel "Mehmed, My Hawk" in 1955 and has had his works translated into more than 30 languages.

Turkish classic music artist Alaeddin Yavasca and architect Turgut Cansever were also awarded the Culture and Arts Prize on Thursday. (dpa)