Great loss for Indian languages: Murmurs of JCB Prize's departure causes concern among writers
New Delhi, The JCB Prize for Literature, India's priciest book award, seems to have made a quiet exit without any official confirmation, causing concern among the literary community, including writers and publishers. Great loss for Indian languages: Murmurs of JCB Prize's departure causes concern among writers
A person close to the award told PTI on Saturday that 'it has shut down'.
The literary prize was established in 2018 to 'celebrate Indian writing, and to help readers across the world discover the very best of contemporary Indian literature'.
After giving the award to English writer Upamanyu Chatterjee on November 23 last year, the JCB Prize Foundation has kept quiet. Its last social media post was uploaded on Instagram on November 27, congratulating Chatterjee for winning the ₹ 25 lakh prize.
The award did not call for entries this year, which generally happens around the first week of March.
Malayalam writer Benyamin, who won the debut award in 2018 for his book 'Jasmine Days' translated into English by Shahnaz Habib, said that the news is 'deeply disappointing'.
'...as the JCB Prize was a highly promising recognition for Indian literature not just Indian English writing, but also regional languages. It was a respected and influential award that played a significant role in helping Indian literature reach a global audience,' the author of 'Goat Days' told PTI.
In its seven editions, the award has gone to translated works of fiction five times.
In 2020, S Hareesh's 'Moustache', translated from the Malayalam by Jayashree Kalathil, won the award. M Mukundan's 'Delhi: A Soliloquy', translated from the Malayamal by Fathima E V and Nandakumar K, won the prize in 2021.
The award in 2022 went to Urdu author Khalid Jawed's 'The Paradise of Food', translated by Baran Farooqui, followed by Tamil author Perumal Murugan's 'Fire Bird', translated by Janani Kannan, in 2023.
'This is a great loss for Indian languages. Malayalam translations have won the award three times, Tamil once, and Urdu has also been recognized. It's truly disheartening,' Murugan said.
The award in 2019 was given to Madhuri Vijay for 'The Far Field'.
Author Namita Gokhale said that it is possible that they might be 'reconsidering the format', while appreciating the work done by the JCB Prize.
'I don't know the truth of this. Perhaps they are reconsidering the format of the prize or are looking for some other form of literary activity . But I do appreciate the excellent work that the JCB Prize for Literature has done in forefronting translations in the past,' she said.
Karthika VK, publisher of Westland Books, said that the prize added a 'great deal to the publishing ecosystem'.
"I am sorry to hear that it's shutting down. We can only hope others will come along to fill the gap and sponsor prizes, grants, residencies, to support writers and translators,' she said.
In its run of seven years, the award courted controversy ahead of the prize announcement last year when over a hundred writers, poets and publishers came out with an open letter condemning JCB, the British bulldozer manufacturer and the organiser of the literature prize, for allegedly 'uprooting' the lives of poor and marginalised in India as well as Palestine.
Benyamin said that the criticism 'missed the point'.
'...it's not the equipment that should be blamed, but those who choose to misuse it. The same machines are also used to build also. I can't align myself with that kind of reasoning, especially when the prize itself had such a positive impact. I hope they will reconsider and they will reinstate the prize for Indian literature,' he said.
The award followed the process of call for entry, a longlist of 10 books, a shortlist of five books and finally, a winner.
Each of the shortlisted authors was awarded ₹ one lakh, and if the shortlisted piece were a translation, the translator received ₹ 50,000. If a translated work won the prize, the author would take home ₹ 25 lakh while the translator received the prize money of ₹ 10 lakh.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
42 minutes ago
- India.com
Kuberaa Roars Into Theatres: 6 Reasons Why This Film Is A Must-Watch THIS Weekend
photoDetails english 2919725 With a stellar cast, daring direction, and cinematic finesse, Kuberaa is not just another big-ticket release; it's a cinematic event. Updated:Jun 21, 2025, 08:41 PM IST Kuberaa 1 / 8 Directed by the ever-inventive Sekhar Kammula and starring powerhouses like Nagarjuna, Dhanush, and Rashmika Mandanna, the film has been making serious waves for all the right reasons. If you're still on the fence about watching it, here are 7 compelling reasons to experience Kuberaa this weekend: Nagarjuna in a Bold, Career-Defining Role 2 / 8 Stepping far outside his comfort zone, Nagarjuna delivers a powerful, brooding performance that could redefine his career. His portrayal of a morally ambiguous character is nuanced, layered, and magnetic, proving once again that age is no barrier to reinvention. Dhanush's Career-Best Performance 3 / 8 Dhanush brings depth, ferocity, and remarkable subtlety to a role that plays perfectly to his strengths. It's a performance that lingers, one that critics and fans are already calling his best yet. Rashmika Mandanna in a Fierce, Author-Backed Role 4 / 8 In a role that's fierce, unglamorous, and emotionally demanding, Rashmika proves her mettle with a performance that is both grounded and gut-punching. She holds her own with grace and grit alongside two titans of Indian cinema. Sekhar Kammula's Bold New Cinematic Language 5 / 8 Known for his slice-of-life storytelling, Kammula reinvents himself with a gritty, genre-defying film. His blend of non-linear narrative, visual poetry, and political undertones makes Kuberaa a fresh and compelling watch. Haunting Visuals & Unforgettable Soundtrack 6 / 8 DSP's music adds texture and emotion, while Niketh Bommireddy's cinematography transforms each frame into visual poetry. The technical finesse enhances the immersive storytelling without ever overwhelming it. Pan-India Appeal 7 / 8 Releasing in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi, Kuberaa connects across cultures with its emotionally rich storytelling. The themes of power, justice, and redemption hit home universally, making it resonate with diverse audiences. Kuberaa Release 8 / 8 Kuberaa is now playing in cinemas worldwide, offering audiences an unforgettable cinematic experience across languages and regions.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Murali Vijay dating Australian legend's daughter? Viral pic sparks rumours, her name is...
In this collection of pictures we shall take a look at the viral pic which sparked dating rumours between Indian cricketer Murali Vijay and Australian legend's daughter. Let's dive in. Former Indian cricket team player Murali Vijay is once again in the news. A picture of Vijay is going viral on social media, in which he is seen eating food with the daughter of a legendary Australian cricket player. In the photo going viral on social media, it is being claimed that Murali Vijay is with Grace Hayden, daughter of former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden. Murali Vijay's viral photo with Grace Hayden has created a stir on social media. As soon as the photo of these two surfaced, the news of their relationship has intensified. However, neither Murali Vijay nor Grace Hayden has confirmed anything about this relationship nor has anything been said by either of them in the media. Murali Vijay has retired from all formats of cricket two years ago in January 2023. Murali Vijay was in the news once before when news of his relationship with former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik's ex-wife Nikita broke out. Nikita and Dinesh Karthik got married in 2007, but they got divorced in 2012, just a few years after their marriage. Nikita married Murali Vijay in 2012 itself. It has been about 13 years since they got married and Nikita has uploaded many photos with her husband Murali Vijay on her social media handles. There has been no reaction from Vijay's wife Nikita Vijay even after his photo with Grace Hayden went viral. Matthew Hayden's daughter, Grace Hayden is a cricket presenter. She often hosts events in IPL and other cricket leagues.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Meet actress who once taught yoga for a living, her life changed after..., became a star, gave hit film that earned Rs..., she is..
There are many actors and actresses in Indian cinema who started their journey from a humble background. From working at a young age to taking up odd jobs, these people did everything but did not leave their dream. Today, we will discuss one such actress who used to earn her living by teaching Yoga. However, she had no idea that her luck would change so much that there would be a day when she would rule the cinema. While the above description might make you think that we are talking about Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Vimi or more, let us tell you we are talking about the famous South Indian face Anushka Shetty. Anushka Shetty Worked as Yoga Teacher Born on November 7, Anushka started a humble life. Before entering the big cinemas, she worked as a Yoga teacher. According to media reports, her life changed while she was teaching Yoga. Reports state that while Anushka was teaching yoga, director Meher Ramesh noticed her and later offered her films. That one opportunity transformed Anushka from a yoga instructor into a leading lady. Meher Ramesh recommended her to Puri Jagannadh, who agreed to cast her. This led to Anushka Shetty's debut in the 2005 film Super. Anushka Shetty's Superhit Film Then she got a chance to work in Mahanadi. Anushka's major breakthrough came when she featured in SS Rajamouli's film Baahubali 2. She reprised the role of Devasena in this blockbuster film. The movie earned a whopping Rs 2400 crore. Devasena's character in Baahubali received a lot of love from the people. After this, she also worked in blockbuster films like Rudramadevi, Arundhati, and Vedam. Today, Anushka is a well-known face in the South industry.
