Writers don’t write stories to win prizes or awards; their desire to write is fueled by the pursuit of forming connections with everyday people. They want their stories to leave a mark in people’s minds and hearts. Yet, in the journey of storytelling, winning an award or a prize is like an unexpected bonus. It might not be the main reason for writers to weave their crafts, but it surely adds a fun twist to things. It puts the writers in the spotlight and helps more people notice the stories. And suddenly, before they even know, lots of people are interested in reading their works.

The JCB Prize for literature is one such special award in India that started in 2018. Every year, they pick an exceptional book, written by an Indian author in English or translated by an Indian writer. And to make it even better, the author receives a generous cash price of 2,500,00 INR. 

{Check out the list of 13 Awards in India for Translations}

About the JCB Prize

The Prize aims to highlight and appreciate the work of Indian writers and help the readers worldwide to enjoy the best of modern Indian stories. It also gives recognition to translators, who are the unsung heroes of literary world. Without their efforts, it would have been impossible to enjoy the richness and variety of stories written in over twenty different languages. 

Every year, the Literary Director picks a team of prominent individuals from various fields of Indian life. Each person on the team reads all the stories that are submitted for the prize. They work together to pick the top ten, then the top five, and finally they decide which one is the winner.

Where it all started?

In 2018, JCB India came up with something pretty exciting- the JCB Literature Foundation. Its goal is to encourage and support literature in India, and the most important thing it does is take care of the JCB Prize for Literature. 

They aim to make a lasting impression on India’s culture. Why? Because they have been a part of the country for many years. And during all those years, they have been helping out with different things like social and economic activities. Their main focus is to boost the importance of literature in India, and they are working relentlessly to make people aware about Indian books and writers. They are not just stopping there- they also want to translate books between different Indian languages. To sum it up, they are excited to share the diverse world of Indian literature with everyone. And, guess what? They are not planning to stop anytime soon.

{Check out the list of 10 Awards For Self-Published Books in India}

The Trophy

The Trophy for the JCB Prize for Literature is crafted by artists Thukral and Tagra in 2018. Made of aluminum and coated with shiny nickel, it stands twelve inches tall and is called Mirror Melting. 

Along with the trophy, a prize money of 2,500,000 INR is given by JCB, a company that makes construction equipment all around the world. Every year, a separate group checks and makes sure the judges are being fair in their decisions.

Prizes and Panel of Judges

Every year, a distinguished jury, selects the books which make it to the longlist, shortlist, and eventually, the winner of the JCB Prize for Literature. 

The 2023 Winner

Fire Bird, written by Perumal Murugan and translate by Janani Kannan, tells the story of Muthu, whose life gets messed up when his family land is divided, leaving him with almost nothing. A betrayal by his elder brother forces Muthu to start a new life with his family. In this novel, the author beautifully explores the human longing for stability in a world where change is the only constant.

The 2023 Shortlist

• The Secret of More by Tejaswini Apte-Rahm
• The Nemesis by Manoranjan Byapari and translated by V. Ramaswamy
• Fire Bird by Perumal Murugan and translated by Janani Kannan
• Mansur by Vikramjit Ram
• I Named My Sister Silence by Manoj Rupda and translated by Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar

The 2022 Winner

The Paradise of Food, written by Khalid Jawed and translated by Baran Farooq, explores the struggles of a middle-class Muslim family in changing times. Following a boy’s journey from childhood to adulthood, the story unfolds as he struggles to fit in, first in a big family and later in life. The book, rich in metaphors and depth, isn’t your usual light read. The author has done a commendable job in not sugarcoating the life, but instead portraying its raw reality in a way that feels important.

The 2022 Shortlist

• Imaan by Manoranjan Byapari and translated by Arunava Sinha
• The Song of the Soil by Chuden Kabimo and translated by Ajit Baral
• The Paradise of Food by Khalid Jawed and translated by Baran Farooqi
• Tomb of Sand by Geetanjli Shree and translated by Daisy Rockwell
• Valli by Sheela Tomy and translated by Jayasree Kalathil

{Here’s a list of 50 Literary Awards in India}

The 2021 Winner

Delhi: A Soliloquy, written by M. Mukundan and translated by Fathima E.V. and Nandakumar K., is a captivating novel that explores the lives of Malayali migrants in New Delhi during a turbulent period in Indian history. The story revolves around Sahadevan, making Delhi his home amidst the chaos. However, everything changes when China declares war on India. This contemporary Malayalam classic beautifully captures the essence of ordinary lives in Delhi. 

The 2021 Shortlist

• Anti-clock by V.L James and translated by Ministhy S.
• Name Place Animal Thing by Daribha Lyndem
• The Plague Upon Us by Shabir Ahmad Mir
• Delhi: A Soliloquy by M. Mukundan and translated by Fathima E.V. and Nandakumar K.
• Gods and Ends by Lindsay Pereira

The 2020 Winner

Moustache, written by S. Hareesh and translated by Jayasree Kalathil, is a captivating novel set in Kuttanad, Kerala. The story introduces us to a character named Vavachan, who after playing the role of a policeman in musical drama, refuses to part with his immense moustache. What makes it interesting is that it terrifies the upper-caste audience. Originally titled “Meesha” in Malayalam, this novel is a contemporary classic which perfectly blends magic, metaphor, and myth, creating a resonant narrative. 

The 2020 Shortlist

• Chosen Spirits by Samit Basu
• These, Our Bodies, Possessed by Light by Dharini Bhaskar
• Moustache by S. Hareesh and translated by Jayasree Kalathil
• Prelude to a Riot by Annie Zaidi 
• Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara

The 2019 Winner

The Far Field, written by Madhuri Vijay, follows the journey of Shalini, a young woman from Bangalore. After her mother’s death, she sets out on a journey to a remote village in Kashmir. She believes her mother’s death is somehow linked to Bashir Ahmed, a Kashmiri salesman who disappeared a decade ago. This novel beautifully explores Indian politics and class biases through the perspective of an outsider. 

The 2019 Shortlist

• There’s Gunpowder in the Air by Manoranjan Byapari and translated by Arunava Sinha
• A Lonely Harvest and Trial by Silence by Perumal Murugan and translated by Aniruddhan Vasudevan
• My Father’s Garden by Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar
• The Far Field by Madhuri Vijay
• Ib’s Endless Search for Satisfaction by Roshan Ali

{Looking to improve your writing? Here’s a list of 12 Best Books on Writing}

The 2018 Winner

Jasmine Days, written by Benyamin and translated by Shahnaz Habib, tells the story of Sameera Parveen, a Pakistani immigrant working as a Radio Jockey in a Middle Eastern city. The story revolves around the ruling monarchy and the Shia community. As the revolution unfolds, she faces tough choices between family and friends. The author effortlessly creates a gripping narrative, convincing readers that it is a true story. 

The 2018 Shortlist

• All the Lives We Never Lived by Anuradha Roy
• Half the Night is Gone by Amitabha Bagchi
• Latitudes of Longing by Shubhangi Swarup
• Poonachi by Perumal Murugan and translated by N. Kalyan Raman
• Jasmine Days by Benyamin and translated by Shahnaz Habib

The Distinguished Panel: A Closer Look at the Jury

Srinath Perur- The author of “If It’s Monday It Must Be Madurai”, Srinath Perur writes on various subjects including science, travel, and books. He has also translated the famous works from Kannada language such as “Ghachar Ghochar” by Vivek Shanbhag and “This Life at Play” by Girish Karnad. 

Mahesh Dattani- Mahesh Dattani is a talented playwright, director, and mentor. His plays have been translated and played globally. He won Sahitya Akademi Award for his anthology “Final Solutions and Other Plays”. He is currently serving as the Artistic Director of Playpen Performing Arts Trust, a group dedicated to nurturing new theatrical works. 

Somak Ghoshal- Somak Ghoshal is a seasoned professional who has worked in publishing and media for over 15 years. His works have been featured in various publications like Mint, HuffPost, The Telegraph etc. He has also authored two books for young readers. Currently, he works as a learning designer with an ed-tech organization.

Kavery Nambisan- Kavery Nambisan is an author and surgeon who started her writing career with children’s books. Her writing journey then expanded to adult novels like “The Scent of Paper”, “A Town Like Ours” etc. She also writes articles and essays for numerous national and international newspapers and anthologies. 

Swati Thiyagarajan- Swati is a renowned conservation journalist and filmmaker, who has bagged several awards for her outstanding work. She crafted the acclaimed show “Born Wild” while working as Environment Editor at NDTV. She currently contributes to the Sea Change Project in Cape Town. 

AS Panneerselvan- AS Panneerselvan is a renowned journalist, editor, and columnist. He leads at the Centre for Study in Public Sphere in Chennai. He received the GU Pope Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu in 2022 for his literary contributions. Throughout his career, he has worked with prestigious media houses and networks. 

Rakhee Balaram- Rakhee Balram is an Assistant Professor at the University of Albany, where she teaches about modern and contemporary art. Besides teaching and authoring two books, she curated a trendy exhibition called “Fragility”, showcasing contemporary Indian art. She holds dual doctorates in French Literature and History of Art.

Amitabha Bagchi- Amitabha Bagchi is an author, with a background in Computer Science, who has written four books. His fourth book, Half the Light is Gone, earned him the 2019 DSC Prize for South Asian Literature. The same book was shortlisted for the 2018 JCB Prize for Literature. In his career as a researcher and professor, he has published several search papers.

Dr. J Devika- Dr. J Devika is a historian, feminist, social critic, and academician. She writes books and articles on gender, politics, social reforms, and development in Kerala. She has also contributed in translating various Malayalam stories to English. Currently, she is into research and training at the Centre for Development Studies. 

Janice Pariat- Janice Pariat is a celebrated author who has received several accolades for her work. In 2013, she was honored with the Young Writer Award from the Sahitya Akademi and won the Crossword Book Award for Fiction. She also shares her expertise in Creative Writing and Art History as a teacher at Ashoka University. 

Sara Rai- Sara Rai is a writer and translator who works in Hindi, English, and Urdu. She has authored three collections of short stories in Hindi. She has bagged numerous awards for her widely acclaimed works. Across the years, her works have been translated into Urdu, German, French, Italian, and English.

{Here’s a list of 15 Contests and Awards for Short stories in India}

Wrapping up

The JCB literature Foundation is serving as a bright spotlight, highlighting amazing and diverse stories from India. Their goal is not only to highlight outstanding writers but also to encourage people to enjoy reading more. Each year, the prize showcases stories that really capture the essence of life in India. It is like a celebration of storytelling and a reminder of how books play an important role in helping us make sense of the world. 

The JCB Prize for Literature is like a mentor, helping stories to grow and encouraging us to keep exploring important stories that tell us about our world. The stories that feed our souls and minds.