The Longlist JCB Prize 2018
our focus on translation: publish- ers may enter four books for the prize, but two of these must be translations—and they forfeit this quota if they have no translations to enter. In this way, we hope to stimulate much more translation between languages, so that readers may have a much more unified sense of the literature of this multilingual country.
How long is JCB’s commitment to funding the prize?
Kannada and Tamil both play host to a literary culture that is far more evolved and subtle than that, say, of English
JCB is not thinking of there being an end to this prize. The internal planning for the prize looks at a 15 to 20-year timeframe. That is the period over which the prize itself will become an essential cultural platform, and when we will accumulate a truly significant archive of contemporary books and writers.
It’s encouraging that translators will be recognised, too.
Can you explain why the prize thought this to be important? India has 22 official languages, but in realit, there are hundreds. Translation, on the other hand, is meagre. There are far fewer translated books in most Indian bookshops than you might find in countries with a single official language, such as France or Germany. This means that most Indian readers have no idea of the experiences and ideas of most of the country. We live in an era of increasing political and cultural fragmentation, and translating literature seems one way that we can easily create a culture that is broader, more informed and more empathetic.
Can you give us a general overview of the state of Indian literary fiction today? Indian literature today is flourish- ing. Until the 1990s, you might say that Indian writers in all languages were preoccupied by questions of authenticit: what,
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in the wake of empire, might an “authentic” Indian novel look like? This was particularly fraught for writers working in English. This question has faded, and
writers are interested in looking at Indian life in myriad ways: ener- getic, searching, original. There are successful writers of romance and crime; there are mythological thrillers and coming-of-age novels. And there are works of literature that have found extraordinary forms, situations and characters through which to explore the particular perspec- tives on our planet that emerge from this part of its landmass.
And are there any particular local languages that are particularly vibrant, or “having a moment”? There is no doubt that literature in Kannada and Tamil, two languages from the south that are both reflected in our longlist, is particularly vibrant. Both languages play host to a literary culture that is far more evolved and subtle than that, say, of English. Writers in these languages have far greater prominence in their regions than is generally the case elsewhere. Some translations from these languages have become interna- tionally acclaimed in the past few years—as is the case with Ghachar Ghochar by Vivek Shanbhag, who is on our 2018 jury.
From the longlists and shortlists, are there any trends emerging? What is important to the best and brightest Indian writers today? The variet is more striking than anything else. The range of landscapes, characters—human and inhuman—and chronological setings is very great. One thing that has struck me about the books on our 2018 longlist is the prominence of the land and the ecosystem in shaping stories. Drought, flood and the power of landscape: these are very movingly writen about in several of the longlisted novels.
The winner of the RS25Lakh (£26,000) prize will be announced on 27th October
The Book of Chocolate Saints Jeet Thayil A wild artist returns to the place he was born.
When the Moon Shines by Day Nayantara Sahgal Dystopain satire of contemporary India.
Shortlisted
Half the Night is Gone Amitabha Bagchi Explores inheritance and father-son relationships.
Shortlisted
All the Lives we Never Lived Anuradha Roy A story of rebellion in the pursuit of freedom.
Shortlisted
Jasmine Days Benny Daniel/ Benyamin Revolution transforms Sameera’s life forever.
Empire Devi Yesodharan Gripping saga set in 11th-century India’s Chola kingdom.
Jasoda Kiran Nagarkar An epic tracing the impact of drought on one woman’s life.
Shortlisted
Poonachi Perumal Murugan Poignant and political tale of life as a black goat.
Shortlisted
Latitudes of Longing Shubhangi Swarup Transcendent début novel blending nature and the supernatural.
Clouds Chandrahas Choudhury Explores the precariousness of cultural identity.
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