The Disappearance of India's Most Prestigious Literary Award

The JCB Prize for Literature, India's most financially lucrative book award, appears to have quietly exited the literary stage with no formal announcement, sparking unease among authors and publishers. Sources informed PTI that the prize has ceased operations, leaving a void in the literary recognition landscape.

Since 2018, the prestigious award has bolstered the visibility of Indian literature worldwide, including both English and regional languages. Esteemed works like Upamanyu Chatterjee's recent triumph have graced its platform. However, a lack of a call for entries this year signals uncertainty about the prize's future.

The abeyance of the prize is lamented by authors who have benefited from its patronage. With multiple translations recognized over its seven-year span, the prize's potential closure is seen as a significant loss for Indian literary talent and the broader publishing ecosystem.

(With inputs from agencies.)