The JCB Prize for Literature has unveiled its longlist of ten novels for 2024. The list includes five books originally in English and five translated into English from Bengali, Marathi, and Malayalam—also with four debut authors. The Prize seeks to honor Indian writing and introduce readers globally to the finest contemporary Indian literature. It also recognizes the crucial role of translators, whose efforts make diverse literary works accessible to a wider audience. The shortlist of five books will be revealed on October 23, with the winner announced on November 23.
Of Mothers and Other Perishables by Radhika Oberoi
In a darkly humorous tone, the voice of a deceased woman reverberates through the walls of her cherished storeroom—a small, cluttered space holding her earthly possessions: cupboards of silk sarees and baby clothes, black-and-white photo albums, a vinyl record collection, a vintage record player, old leather suitcases, and an ebony-and-gold sewing machine. She reflects on her past and the illness that led to her premature death.
Leaf, Water and Flow by Avadhoot Dongare, translated from Marathi by Nadeem Khan
In Leaf, Water and Flow, Avadhoot Dongare delves into the complexities of social structures and the power dynamics that shape our lives. Set against a backdrop of Naxalite/Maoist politics and the rural landscape of central India, the novel interweaves diverse narratives: a dying teak leaf, a grieving egret, a released revolutionary, an adivasi woman once part of a Maoist group, and many others. Through these voices, Dongare explores the conflicts within and between these structures, revealing their impact on individual lives and the broader social fabric. Each character contributes to a rich tapestry of stories, challenging the binaries and seeking a more interconnected understanding of existence.
The One Legged by Sakyajit Bhattacharya, translated from Bengali by Rituparna Mukherjee
Raising a child is fraught with challenges, especially when haunted by both external and internal monsters. In the dilapidated old mansion, where moldy walls shift and shadows from a cursed tree stir unease, Tunu discovers that darkness extends beyond nightfall. The house itself, a giant cloaked in secrets, grief, and loss, becomes a living presence. As history echoes and repeats, Tunu slowly and inexorably transforms into someone new.
Sanatan by Sharankumar Limbale, translated from Marathi by Paromita Sengupta
Sanatan is a poignant exploration of Bhimnak Mahar and his community, who face centuries of brutal oppression and discrimination from the upper castes. The story begins with Bhimnak’s youth in pre-Independence India and extends through time and space to his grandson. This circular narrative reflects the persistent cycle of anguish that the Mahars are trapped in, despite their attempts to escape, change their identities, or shift their religions. Utilizing myths, Puranas, and historical texts, Sharankumar Limbale reimagines Dalit history to uncover harsh truths and advocate for what he envisions as “a new and progressive social order.” Through his narrative, Limbale not only exposes uncomfortable realities but also proposes a forward-looking alternative to the existing social structures.
Maria, Just Maria by Sandhya Ramesh, translated from Malayalam by Jayasree Kalathil
After her grandfather's death, Maria has stopped speaking—not out of inability, but by choice. Now residing in a psychiatric hospital, she begins the journey of "reconnecting with reality," reflecting on her life as "just Maria." Raised in a Syrian Christian family in Kerala, her companions included a grandfather who took her on village excursions, a great-aunt with dementia who challenged her as the youngest family member, a philosophically inclined dog, and various deceased relatives, including a prophetic great-grandmother. Her life also involved a meddling patron saint and regular conversations with Karthav Eesho Mishiha.
The Distaste of the Earth by Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih
In this evocative novel, an ancient world of Khasi kings and queens, warriors, and invaders unfolds through the eyes of a young man deeply enmeshed in its complexities. The story paints a rich tapestry of a land where a queen's love for a pauper, animals' grievances against humanity, and inevitable retribution—affecting both the virtuous and the wicked—intertwine. The narrative begins in a local bar, or pata, whose patrons embody a microcosm of the broader world and its struggles.
Talashnama: The Quest by Ismail Darbesh, translated from Bengali by V Ramaswamy
In the Muslim-majority village of Sadnahati, West Bengal, Talashnama follows Riziya, a well-educated and defiant woman burdened by a painful secret. She flees with her Hindu tutor, Suman Nath, though her true love is Tahirul, the conflicted local Imam. On the day of her departure, Riziya is accused of defacing the village mosque with anti-Islamic graffiti, an act that incites both confusion and outrage among the villagers. A decade later, with Suman Nath having taken his own life, Riziya returns to Sadnahati, facing a community that now views her with disdain and scorn.
Lorenzo Searches for the Meaning of Life by Upamanyu Chatterjee
In the summer of 1977, 19-year-old Lorenzo Senesi from Aquilina, Italy, injures his forearm in a Vespa accident, leading to a month of bed rest filled with existential questions: Where is he from? Where is he going? And how can he discover his path? Upon recovery, Lorenzo enrolls in physiotherapy and joins a prayer group. He eventually finds refuge at Praglia Abbey, a Benedictine monastery near Padua, where he will spend ten years. From there, he is sent to a remote Benedictine ashram in Bangladesh. Over the years, Lorenzo immerses himself in monastic life, learns Bengali, runs a physiotherapy clinic, paints a chapel, and unexpectedly falls in love. Through it all, he discovers that a life of devotion to God offers both fulfillment and a sense of incompleteness.
Hurda by Atharva Pandit
On Valentine’s Day 2013 in the village of Murwani, Maharashtra, three sisters—Anisha, Sanchita, and Priyanka—vanished from school without a trace. No one knows their whereabouts or reasons for leaving, but their reputation for trouble remains vivid in everyone's memory. Six years later, a Mumbai journalist returns to Murwani to unravel the mystery of that fateful day and discover what really happened.
Chronicle of an Hour and a Half by Saharu Nusaiba Kannanari
In the remote village of Vaiga, nestled in the foothills of the Western Ghats, an unprecedented storm rages: unending rain, fallen trees, a swollen river, and persistent power outages. But beneath this natural calamity, a more sinister storm brews. It starts with a rumor of an affair, prompting Saud and his sons to come to Vaiga searching for Burhan. As the rumor spreads through feverish WhatsApp messages, it ignites chaos and violence, with a mob taking to the streets, demanding retribution.
Words Platform Desk
Date 11.09.2024