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{{short description|Literary award}}
{{short description|Literary award in India}}
{{Infobox award|awardname=Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize|name=Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize|subheader=Awarded for the first book published an author in India|country=India|presenter=Shakti Bhatt Foundation|established=2007|firstawarded=2008|lastawarded=2019|reward=₹100,000}}
{{Infobox award
| awardname = Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize
| name = Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize
| subheader = Awarded for the first book published an author in India
| country = India
| presenter = Shakti Bhatt Foundation
| established = 2007
| firstawarded = 2008
| lastawarded = 2025
| reward = ₹200,000<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chakrabarti |first1=Paromita |title=Bengali writer Manoranjan Byapari wins the 2022 Shakti Bhatt Prize |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/books-and-literature/bengali-writer-manoranjan-byapari-wins-the-2022-shakti-bhatt-prize-8152519/ |access-date=2022-09-15 |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |date=2022-09-15}}</ref>
}}


The '''Shakti Bhatt Prize''' is a literary award established in 2007 in memory of Indian publisher, Shakti Bhatt. Between 2008 and 2019, it was awarded for first books published in India by an author of any age in the genres of poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction and drama.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2007-09-22|title=Remembering Shakti Bhatt: The Shakti Bhatt Foundation announces the inaugural 2008 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize|url=https://forshakti.blogspot.com/2007/09/shakti-bhatt-foundation-announces.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Remembering Shakti Bhatt}}</ref> From 2020 onward, the Prize has been awarded in recognition of a writer's body of work, instead of a first book.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2020-07-16|title=Revamped Shakti Bhatt prize honours activists Anand Teltumbde and Gautam Navlakha|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/books-and-literature/shakti-bhatt-prize-honours-activists-anand-teltumbde-and-gautam-navlakha-6507293/|access-date=2020-09-06|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>
The '''Shakti Bhatt Prize''' is a literary award established in 2007 in memory of Indian publisher, Shakti Bhatt. Between 2008 and 2019, it was awarded for first books published in India by an author of any age in the genres of poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction and drama. From 2020 onward, the Prize has been awarded in recognition of a writer's body of work, instead of a first book. The last award will be given in 2025 to [[Zara Chowdhary]] for her memoir [[The Lucky Ones (memoir)|''The Lucky Ones'']].


== Establishment ==
== Establishment ==
The Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize was established by an [[eponym]]ous foundation in memory of Shakti Bhatt, an Indian publisher. Bhatt, the editor of Indian publishing house, Bracket Books, died following an illness in 2007. The Shakti Bhatt Foundation was established in her memory by her husband, Indian poet [[Jeet Thayil]], along other friends and family; the foundation funds and manages the award.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=2007-04-05|title=Bloggers in India Mourn the Untimely Death of Shakti Bhatt · Global Voices|url=https://globalvoices.org/2007/04/05/bloggers-in-india-mourn-the-untimely-death-of-shakti-bhatt/|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Global Voices|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Taneja|first=Preti|date=2018-02-09|title=Jeet Thayil: 'I have a liver condition, I'm reckless and I'm very aware that time is limited'|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/feb/09/jeet-thayil-interview-man-booker-narcopolis-book-chocolate-saints|access-date=2020-09-06|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
The Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize was established by an [[eponym]]ous foundation in memory of Shakti Bhatt, an Indian publisher. Bhatt, the editor of Indian publishing house, Bracket Books, died following an illness in 2007. The Shakti Bhatt Foundation was established in her memory by her husband, Indian poet [[Jeet Thayil]], along other friends and family; the foundation funds and manages the award.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2007-09-22 |title=Remembering Shakti Bhatt: The Shakti Bhatt Foundation announces the inaugural 2008 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize |url=https://forshakti.blogspot.com/2007/09/shakti-bhatt-foundation-announces.html |access-date=2020-09-06 |website=Remembering Shakti Bhatt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bloggers in India Mourn the Untimely Death of Shakti Bhatt · Global Voices|url=https://globalvoices.org/2007/04/05/bloggers-in-india-mourn-the-untimely-death-of-shakti-bhatt/|first=Gaurav |last=Mishra|date=2007-04-05|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Global Voices|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Taneja|first=Preti|date=2018-02-09|title=Jeet Thayil: 'I have a liver condition, I'm reckless and I'm very aware that time is limited'|language=en-GB|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/feb/09/jeet-thayil-interview-man-booker-narcopolis-book-chocolate-saints|access-date=2020-09-06|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>


The prize was first awarded in 2008 to [[Mohammad Hanif (author)|Mohammad Hanif]] for his novel, ''[[A Case of Exploding Mangoes]]''.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=A Case of Exploding Talent - Indian Express|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/a-case-of-exploding-talent/393943|access-date=2020-09-06|website=archive.indianexpress.com}}</ref>  In 2020, the new Prize was awarded to incarcerated scholars and writers [[Anand Teltumbde]] and [[Gautam Navlakha]].<ref name=":1" />
The prize was first awarded in 2008 to [[Mohammad Hanif (author)|Mohammad Hanif]] for his novel, ''[[A Case of Exploding Mangoes]]''.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=A Case of Exploding Talent - Indian Express|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/a-case-of-exploding-talent/393943|access-date=2020-09-06|website=archive.indianexpress.com}}</ref>  In 2020, the new Shakti Bhatt Prize was awarded to incarcerated scholars and writers [[Anand Teltumbde]] and [[Gautam Navlakha]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2020-07-16 |title=Revamped Shakti Bhatt prize honours activists Anand Teltumbde and Gautam Navlakha |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/books-and-literature/shakti-bhatt-prize-honours-activists-anand-teltumbde-and-gautam-navlakha-6507293/ |access-date=2020-09-06 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
 
In May 2021, the Foundation announced that there would be no prize for 2021, and instead donated the prize money towards relief efforts relating to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=Basu|first=Rohan Datta & Narayani|title=Why the prize money for Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2021 is going to Covid-19 relief|url=https://scroll.in/article/996011/why-the-prize-money-for-shakti-bhatt-first-book-prize-2021-is-going-to-covid-19-relief|date= 2021-05-29|access-date=2021-11-29|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2025, it was announced that the award will be discontinued from next year.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2025-06-27 |title=Zara Chowdhary wins 2025 Shakti Bhatt award for debut memoir |url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/zara-chowdhary-wins-2025-shakti-bhatt-award-for-debut-memoir/article69744658.ece |access-date=2025-06-29 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN}}</ref>


== Eligibility and Criteria ==
== Eligibility and Criteria ==
Between 2008 and 2019, the Award was open to nominations of first books published during the previous year in the [[Indian subcontinent]] within the categories of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama. Eligible books were either written in English, or translated into English from other languages.  Publications from [[vanity press]]es were excluded.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=2010-12-10|title=Subramanian`s debut novel wins prize|url=https://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/bookworm/bookworm-s-trail/subramanian-s-debut-novel-wins-prize_1377.htm|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Zee News|language=en}}</ref>
Between 2008 and 2019, the Award was open to nominations of first books published during the previous year in the [[Indian subcontinent]] within the categories of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama. Eligible books were either written in English, or translated into English from other languages.  Publications from [[vanity press]]es were excluded.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=2010-12-10|title=Subramanian's debut novel wins prize|url=https://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/bookworm/bookworm-s-trail/subramanian-s-debut-novel-wins-prize_1377.htm|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Zee News|language=en}}</ref>


In 2020, Thayil announced that the Prize would now be awarded to recognize a writer's body of work, rather than a first book. Speaking about the changes, Thayil stated, "It just seems to us that at this point (in 2020) it does not make sense to have a first book prize. When we started nobody was doing it. In time, first books came up in many shortlists. In fact, there were copycats for just first books prize as well. We just did not see the relevance. So, we wanted to give it to somebody where it will make a difference."<ref name=":1" />
In 2020, Thayil announced that the Prize would now be awarded to recognize a writer's body of work, rather than a first book. Speaking about the changes, Thayil stated, "It just seems to us that at this point (in 2020) it does not make sense to have a first book prize. When we started nobody was doing it. In time, first books came up in many shortlists. In fact, there were copycats for just first books prize as well. We just did not see the relevance. So, we wanted to give it to somebody where it will make a difference."<ref name=":1" />
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== Awards ==
== Awards ==
=== 2008–2019 ===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+
2008-2019
!Year
!Year
!Jury
!Jury
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|
|
* Chandrahas Choudhury, ''Arzee the Dwarf''
* Chandrahas Choudhury, ''Arzee the Dwarf''
* [[Parismita Singh]], ''Hotel at the End of the World'',  
* [[Parismita Singh]], ''Hotel at the End of the World'',
* Palash Krishna Mehrotra, ''Eunuch Park'', (Penguin)
* Palash Krishna Mehrotra, ''Eunuch Park'', (Penguin)
* [[Mimlu Sen]], ''Baulsphere'',  
* [[Mimlu Sen]], ''Baulsphere'',
* [[Anuradha Roy (novelist)|Anuradha Roy]], ''An'' ''Atlas of Impossible Longing''
* [[Anuradha Roy (novelist)|Anuradha Roy]], ''An'' ''Atlas of Impossible Longing''
* [[Mridula Koshy]], ''If It is Sweet''
* [[Mridula Koshy]], ''If It is Sweet''
|[[Mridula Koshy]], ''If It is Sweet''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Writer Mridula Koshy wins 2009 Shakti Bhatt award|url=https://news.rediff.com/report/2009/dec/08/mridula-koshy-wins-shakthi-bhatt-prize.htm|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Rediff|language=en}}</ref>
|[[Mridula Koshy]], ''If It is Sweet''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Writer Mridula Koshy wins 2009 Shakti Bhatt award|url=https://news.rediff.com/report/2009/dec/08/mridula-koshy-wins-shakthi-bhatt-prize.htm|date=2009-12-08|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Rediff|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|-
|2010<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-12-04|title=Remembering Shakti Bhatt: The Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2010 - Winner|url=https://forshakti.blogspot.com/2010/12/shakti-bhatt-first-book-prize-2010.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Remembering Shakti Bhatt}}</ref>
|2010<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-12-04|title=Remembering Shakti Bhatt: The Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2010 - Winner|url=https://forshakti.blogspot.com/2010/12/shakti-bhatt-first-book-prize-2010.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Remembering Shakti Bhatt}}</ref>
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* [[H. M. Naqvi|HM Naqvi]], ''Homeboy''
* [[H. M. Naqvi|HM Naqvi]], ''Homeboy''
* Mohyna Srinivasan, ''House on Mall Road''
* Mohyna Srinivasan, ''House on Mall Road''
* [[Fatima Bhutto]], ''[[Songs of Blood and Sword]], A Daughter's Memoir''
* [[Fatima Bhutto]], ''[[Songs of Blood and Sword|Songs of Blood and Sword: A Daughter's Memoir]]''
* [[Ali Sethi]], ''[[The Wish Maker]]''
* [[Ali Sethi]], ''[[The Wish Maker]]''
* Vishwajyoti Ghosh, ''Delhi Calm''
* Vishwajyoti Ghosh, ''Delhi Calm''
* [[Samanth Subramanian|Samanth Subramaniam]], ''Following Fish''
* [[Samanth Subramanian|Samanth Subramaniam]], ''Following Fish''
|[[Samanth Subramanian|Samanth Subramaniam]], ''Following Fish''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wandering along India's coast, following fish|url=https://www.rediff.com/getahead/report/-samanth-subramaniam-wins-shakti-bhatt-first-book-prize/20101206.htm|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Rediff|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3" />
|[[Samanth Subramanian|Samanth Subramaniam]], ''Following Fish''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wandering along India's coast, following fish|url=https://www.rediff.com/getahead/report/-samanth-subramaniam-wins-shakti-bhatt-first-book-prize/20101206.htm|first= Abhishek|last= Mande|date= 2010-12-06|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Rediff|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3" />
|-
|-
|2011<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-11-30|title=Remembering Shakti Bhatt: The Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2011 - Winner|url=https://forshakti.blogspot.com/2011/11/shakti-bhatt-first-book-prize-2011.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Remembering Shakti Bhatt}}</ref>
|2011<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-11-30|title=Remembering Shakti Bhatt: The Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2011 - Winner|url=https://forshakti.blogspot.com/2011/11/shakti-bhatt-first-book-prize-2011.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Remembering Shakti Bhatt}}</ref>
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|
|
* [[Aman Sethi]]'', A Free Man''
* [[Aman Sethi]]'', A Free Man''
* Revathi, ''The Truth About Me''
* [[A. Revathi]], ''The Truth About Me''
* [[Mirza Waheed]], ''[[The Collaborator (Mirza Waheed novel)|The Collaborator]]''
* [[Mirza Waheed]], ''[[The Collaborator (Mirza Waheed novel)|The Collaborator]]''
* [[Jamil Ahmad (writer)|Jamil Ahmad]], ''The Wandering Falcon''
* [[Jamil Ahmad (writer)|Jamil Ahmad]], ''The Wandering Falcon''
* Anirudha Bhattacharjee & Balaji Vittal, ''R.D.Burman The Man, The Music''
* [[Anirudha Bhattacharjee]] & Balaji Vittal, ''[[R. D. Burman: The Man The Music]]''
* [[Shehan Karunatilaka]], ''Chinaman''
* [[Shehan Karunatilaka]], ''[[Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew]]''
|[[Jamil Ahmad (writer)|Jamil Ahmad]], ''The Wandering Falco''n<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ramachandran|first=Smriti Kak|date=2011-12-22|title=An award after four decades of hibernation|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/an-award-after-four-decades-of-hibernation/article2736092.ece|access-date=2020-09-06|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Dawn.com|date=2011-12-11|title=The Wandering Falcon wins prize in India|url=https://www.dawn.com/2011/12/11/the-wandering-falcon-wins-first-book-prize-in-india/|access-date=2020-09-06|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}}</ref>
|[[Jamil Ahmad (writer)|Jamil Ahmad]], ''The Wandering Falco''n<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ramachandran|first=Smriti Kak|date=2011-12-22|title=An award after four decades of hibernation|language=en-IN|newspaper=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/an-award-after-four-decades-of-hibernation/article2736092.ece|access-date=2020-09-06|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Dawn.com|date=2011-12-11|title=The Wandering Falcon wins prize in India|url=https://www.dawn.com/2011/12/11/the-wandering-falcon-wins-first-book-prize-in-india/|access-date=2020-09-06|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|-
|2012<ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-12-04|title=Remembering Shakti Bhatt: Naresh Fernandes's Taj Mahal Foxtrot wins the Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2012|url=https://forshakti.blogspot.com/2012/12/naresh-fernandess-taj-mahal-foxtrot.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Remembering Shakti Bhatt}}</ref>
|2012<ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-12-04|title=Remembering Shakti Bhatt: Naresh Fernandes's Taj Mahal Foxtrot wins the Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2012|url=https://forshakti.blogspot.com/2012/12/naresh-fernandess-taj-mahal-foxtrot.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Remembering Shakti Bhatt}}</ref>
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|
|
* Navneet Jagannatha, ''Tamasha in Bandargaon''
* Navneet Jagannatha, ''Tamasha in Bandargaon''
* Priyamvada Purushottam, ''The Purple Line''
* Priyamvada N. Purushotham, ''[[The Purple Line]]''
* Sudha Shah, ''The King in Exile''
* Sudha Shah, ''The King in Exile''
* Taj Hassan, ''The Inexplicable Unhappiness of Ramu Hajjam''
* Taj Hassan, ''The Inexplicable Unhappiness of Ramu Hajjam''
* Naresh Fernandes, ''Taj Mahal Foxtrot: The Story of Bombay's Jazz Age''
* Naresh Fernandes, ''Taj Mahal Foxtrot: The Story of Bombay's Jazz Age''
* Bunny Suraiya, ''Calcutta Exile''
* Bunny Suraiya, ''Calcutta Exile''
|Naresh Fernandes, ''Taj Mahal Foxtrot: The Story of Bombay's Jazz Age''<ref>{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|date=2012-12-05|title=Naresh Fernandes wins Shakti Bhatt Prize|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/naresh-fernandes-wins-shakti-bhatt-prize/article4164774.ece|access-date=2020-09-06|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
|[[Naresh Fernandes]], ''Taj Mahal Foxtrot: The Story of Bombay's Jazz Age''<ref>{{Cite news|author=Staff Reporter|date=2012-12-05|title=Naresh Fernandes wins Shakti Bhatt Prize|language=en-IN|newspaper=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/naresh-fernandes-wins-shakti-bhatt-prize/article4164774.ece|access-date=2020-09-06|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
|-
|-
|2013<ref>{{Cite web|title=Six books on shortlist for Shakti Bhatt Prize|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/six-books-on-shortlist-for-shakti-bhatt-prize/20130901.htm|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Rediff|language=en}}</ref>
|2013<ref>{{Cite web|title=Six books on shortlist for Shakti Bhatt Prize|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/six-books-on-shortlist-for-shakti-bhatt-prize/20130901.htm|date= 2013-09-01|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Rediff|language=en}}</ref>
|[[Meena Kandasamy]]
|[[Meena Kandasamy]]


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* Sonora Jha, ''Foreign''
* Sonora Jha, ''Foreign''
* [[Aranyani]], ''A Pleasant Kind of Heavy and Other Stories''
* [[Aranyani]], ''A Pleasant Kind of Heavy and Other Stories''
|Nilanjana Roy,''The Wildings''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nilanjana Roy wins the 2013 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/nilanjana-roy-wins-the-2013-shakti-bhatt-first-book-prize/20131126.htm|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Rediff|language=en}}</ref>
|[[Nilanjana Roy]],''The Wildings''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nilanjana Roy wins the 2013 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/nilanjana-roy-wins-the-2013-shakti-bhatt-first-book-prize/20131126.htm|date= 2013-11-26|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Rediff|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|-
|2014<ref name=":4" />
|2014<ref name=":4" />
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|
|
* Deepti Kapoor, ''A Bad Character''
* Deepti Kapoor, ''A Bad Character''
* [[Bilal Tanweer]], ''[[The Scatter Here Is Too Great]]'' by
* [[Bilal Tanweer]], ''[[The Scatter Here Is Too Great]]''
* Prawin Adhikari, ''The Vanishing Act''
* Prawin Adhikari, ''The Vanishing Act''
* [[Supriya Dravid]], A ''cool, dark place''
* [[Supriya Dravid]], ''A Cool, Dark Place''
* Shovon Chowdhury, ''The Competent Authority''
* Shovon Chowdhury, ''The Competent Authority''
* Mahesh Rao, ''The Smoke Is Rising''
* Mahesh Rao, ''The Smoke Is Rising''
|Bilal Tanweer, ''The Scatter Here Is Too Great''<ref>{{Cite news|others=Special Correspondent|date=2014-11-24|title=Bilal Tanweer wins Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-authors/bilal-tanweer-wins-shakti-bhatt-first-book-prize/article6630736.ece|access-date=2020-09-06|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Reporter|first=The Newspaper's Staff|date=2014-12-04|title=Bilal Tanweer’s novel wins Shakti Bhatt book prize|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1148658|access-date=2020-09-06|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}}</ref>
|[[Bilal Tanweer]], ''The Scatter Here Is Too Great''<ref>{{Cite news|author=Special Correspondent|date=2014-11-24|title=Bilal Tanweer wins Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize|language=en-IN|newspaper=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-authors/bilal-tanweer-wins-shakti-bhatt-first-book-prize/article6630736.ece|access-date=2020-09-06|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Reporter|first=The Newspaper's Staff|date=2014-12-04|title=Bilal Tanweer's novel wins Shakti Bhatt book prize|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1148658|access-date=2020-09-06|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|-
|2015<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-11-24|title=Remembering Shakti Bhatt: Rohini Mohan wins Shakti Bhatt prize|url=https://forshakti.blogspot.com/2015/11/rohini-mohan-wins-shakti-bhatt-prize.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Remembering Shakti Bhatt}}</ref>
|2015<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-11-24|title=Remembering Shakti Bhatt: Rohini Mohan wins Shakti Bhatt prize|url=https://forshakti.blogspot.com/2015/11/rohini-mohan-wins-shakti-bhatt-prize.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Remembering Shakti Bhatt}}</ref>
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* Bharath Murthy, ''The Vanished Path''
* Bharath Murthy, ''The Vanished Path''
* Shahid Siddiqui, ''The Golden Pigeon''
* Shahid Siddiqui, ''The Golden Pigeon''
|[[Rohini Mohan (journalist)|Rohini Mohan]], ''The Seasons of Trouble''<ref>{{Cite news|title=Author, journalist Rohini Mohan wins Shakti Bhatt prize|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/author-journalist-rohini-mohan-wins-shakti-bhatt-prize/articleshow/49908557.cms|access-date=2020-09-06}}</ref>
|[[Rohini Mohan (journalist)|Rohini Mohan]], ''The Seasons of Trouble''<ref>{{Cite news|title=Author, journalist Rohini Mohan wins Shakti Bhatt prize|newspaper=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/author-journalist-rohini-mohan-wins-shakti-bhatt-prize/articleshow/49908557.cms|date= 2015-11-25|access-date=2020-09-06}}</ref>
|-
|-
|2016<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-08-27|title=Remembering Shakti Bhatt: 2016 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize: short list|url=https://forshakti.blogspot.com/2016/08/2016-shakti-bhatt-first-book-prize.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Remembering Shakti Bhatt}}</ref>
|2016<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-08-27|title=Remembering Shakti Bhatt: 2016 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize: short list|url=https://forshakti.blogspot.com/2016/08/2016-shakti-bhatt-first-book-prize.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Remembering Shakti Bhatt}}</ref>
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* Kanishk Tharoor, ''Swimmer Among the Stars''
* Kanishk Tharoor, ''Swimmer Among the Stars''
* Akshaya Mukul, ''The'' ''Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India''
* Akshaya Mukul, ''The'' ''Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India''
|Akshaya Mukul, ''The'' ''Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India''<ref>{{Cite web|author=Scroll Staff|title=Akshaya Mukul's 'Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India' wins Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2016|url=http://shop.scroll.in/book/822136/akshaya-mukuls-gita-press-and-the-making-of-hindu-india-wins-shakti-bhatt-first-book-prize-2016|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US}}</ref>
|[[Akshaya Mukul]], ''The'' ''Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India''<ref>{{Cite web|author=Scroll Staff|title=Akshaya Mukul's 'Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India' wins Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2016|url=http://shop.scroll.in/book/822136/akshaya-mukuls-gita-press-and-the-making-of-hindu-india-wins-shakti-bhatt-first-book-prize-2016|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|-
|2017<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-11-24|title=Remembering Shakti Bhatt: Anuk Arudpragasam’s The Story of a Brief Marriage wins the 2017 prize|url=https://forshakti.blogspot.com/2017/11/anuk-arudpragasams-story-of-brief.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Remembering Shakti Bhatt}}</ref>
|2017<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-11-24|title=Remembering Shakti Bhatt: Anuk Arudpragasam's The Story of a Brief Marriage wins the 2017 prize|url=https://forshakti.blogspot.com/2017/11/anuk-arudpragasams-story-of-brief.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Remembering Shakti Bhatt}}</ref>
|[[Kamila Shamsie]]
|[[Kamila Shamsie]]


Line 172: Line 184:
* Hirsh Sawhney, ''South Haven''
* Hirsh Sawhney, ''South Haven''
* [[Sumana Roy]], ''How I Became a Tree''
* [[Sumana Roy]], ''How I Became a Tree''
* Tripti Lahiri, ''[[Maid in India|Maid In India]]''
* Tripti Lahiri, ''Maid In India''
* Tejaswini Apte-Rahm, ''These Circuses that Sweep Through the Landscape''
* Tejaswini Apte-Rahm, ''These Circuses that Sweep Through the Landscape''
|[[Anuk Arudpragasam]],''The Story of a Brief Marriage''<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-11-22|title=After DSC Prize, Arudpragasam bags Shakti Bhatt award|url=https://zeenews.india.com/world/after-dsc-prize-arudpragasam-bags-shakti-bhatt-award-2059130.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Zee News|language=en}}</ref>
|[[Anuk Arudpragasam]],''The Story of a Brief Marriage''<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-11-22|title=After DSC Prize, Arudpragasam bags Shakti Bhatt award|url=https://zeenews.india.com/world/after-dsc-prize-arudpragasam-bags-shakti-bhatt-award-2059130.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Zee News|language=en}}</ref>
Line 183: Line 195:
[[Raghu Karnad]]
[[Raghu Karnad]]
|
|
* Preti Taneja, ''We That Are Young''
* [[Preti Taneja]], ''We That Are Young''
* Deepak Unnikrishnan,''Temporary People''
* Deepak Unnikrishnan,''Temporary People''
* [[Aanchal Malhotra]], ''Remnants of a Separation''
* [[Aanchal Malhotra]], ''Remnants of a Separation''
* Sanam Maher, ''The Sensational Life and Death of Qandeel Baloch'',  
* [[Sanam Maher]], ''The Sensational Life and Death of Qandeel Baloch'',
* Shreevatsa Nevatia, ''How to Travel Light''
* Shreevatsa Nevatia, ''How to Travel Light''
* [[Sujatha Gidla]], ''[[Ants Among Elephants|Ants Among Elephants: An Untouchable Family and the Making of Modern India]]''
* Sujatha Gidla, ''[[Ants Among Elephants|Ants Among Elephants: An Untouchable Family and the Making of Modern India]]''
|[[Sujatha Gidla]], ''[[Ants Among Elephants|Ants Among Elephants: An Untouchable Family and the Making of Modern India]]''<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-10-19|title=Sujatha Gidla’s Ants Among Elephants bags Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2018|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/books/ants-among-elephants-shakti-bhatt-book-prize-2018-5409129/|access-date=2020-09-06|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>
|[[Sujatha Gidla]], ''[[Ants Among Elephants|Ants Among Elephants: An Untouchable Family and the Making of Modern India]]''<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-10-19|title=Sujatha Gidla's Ants Among Elephants bags Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2018|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/books/ants-among-elephants-shakti-bhatt-book-prize-2018-5409129/|access-date=2020-09-06|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|-
|2019<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-12-02|title=Remembering Shakti Bhatt: Tony Joseph wins Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2019|url=https://forshakti.blogspot.com/2019/12/tony-joseph-wins-shakti-bhatt-first.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Remembering Shakti Bhatt}}</ref>
|2019<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-12-02|title=Remembering Shakti Bhatt: Tony Joseph wins Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2019|url=https://forshakti.blogspot.com/2019/12/tony-joseph-wins-shakti-bhatt-first.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=Remembering Shakti Bhatt}}</ref>
Line 203: Line 215:
* [[Tony Joseph]], ''[[Early Indians|Early Indians: The Story of Our Ancestors and Where We Came]]''
* [[Tony Joseph]], ''[[Early Indians|Early Indians: The Story of Our Ancestors and Where We Came]]''
* Roshan Ali, ''Ib’s Endless Search for Satisfaction''
* Roshan Ali, ''Ib’s Endless Search for Satisfaction''
|[[Tony Joseph]], ''[[Early Indians|Early Indians: The Story of Our Ancestors and Where We Came]]''<ref>{{Cite news|others=PTI|date=2019-12-02|title=Author Tony Joseph’s ‘Early Indians’ wins 2019 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/author-tony-josephs-early-indians-wins-2019-shakti-bhatt-first-book-prize/article30136173.ece|access-date=2020-09-06|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
|[[Tony Joseph]], ''[[Early Indians|Early Indians: The Story of Our Ancestors and Where We Came]]''<ref>{{Cite news|agency=PTI|date=2019-12-02|title=Author Tony Joseph's 'Early Indians' wins 2019 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize|language=en-IN|newspaper=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/author-tony-josephs-early-indians-wins-2019-shakti-bhatt-first-book-prize/article30136173.ece|access-date=2020-09-06|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
|}
|}
=== 2020–2025 ===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+2020
!Year  
!Year  
!Honorees
!Honorees
|-
|-
|2020<ref name=":1" />
|2020
|[[Gautam Navlakha]]
|[[Gautam Navlakha]], [[Anand Teltumbde]]<ref name=":1" />  
[[Anand Teltumbde]]  
|-
|2021
|No prize awarded: prize funds were donated to relief efforts relating to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]].<ref name=":5" />
|-
|2022
|[[Manoranjan Byapari]]<ref name="shakti-bhatt-2022">{{cite web |author=Scroll Staff |date=2022-09-15 |title=Bengali author Manoranjan Byapari is the winner of 2022 Shakti Bhatt Book Prize |url=https://scroll.in/article/1032454/bengali-author-manoranjan-byapari-is-the-winner-of-2022-shakti-bhatt-book-prize |access-date=2022-09-15 |work=[[Scroll.in]]}}</ref>
|-
|2024
|[[Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih]], for his body of work.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://scroll.in/article/1074083/poet-novelist-and-dramatist-kynpham-sing-nongkynrih-wins-the-2024-shakti-bhatt-prize#:~:text=literary%20awards,stitched%20together%20into%20a%20narrative? |title=Poet, novelist, and dramatist Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih wins the 2024 Shakti Bhatt Prize |website=scroll.in |date=2024-10-04 |access-date=2025-08-16}}</ref>
|-
|2025
|[[Zara Chowdhary]], ''[[The Lucky Ones (memoir)]]''<ref name=":6" />
|}
|}


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
*


[[Category:First book awards]]
[[Category:Indian literary awards]]
[[Category:Indian literary awards]]
[[Category:First book awards]]

Latest revision as of 08:17, 7 December 2025


Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize
Awarded for the first book published an author in India
CountryIndia
Presented byShakti Bhatt Foundation
Reward(s)₹200,000[1]
Established2007
First awarded2008
Last awarded2025

The Shakti Bhatt Prize is a literary award established in 2007 in memory of Indian publisher, Shakti Bhatt. Between 2008 and 2019, it was awarded for first books published in India by an author of any age in the genres of poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction and drama. From 2020 onward, the Prize has been awarded in recognition of a writer's body of work, instead of a first book. The last award will be given in 2025 to Zara Chowdhary for her memoir The Lucky Ones.

Establishment[edit | edit source]

The Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize was established by an eponymous foundation in memory of Shakti Bhatt, an Indian publisher. Bhatt, the editor of Indian publishing house, Bracket Books, died following an illness in 2007. The Shakti Bhatt Foundation was established in her memory by her husband, Indian poet Jeet Thayil, along other friends and family; the foundation funds and manages the award.[2][3][4]

The prize was first awarded in 2008 to Mohammad Hanif for his novel, A Case of Exploding Mangoes.[5] In 2020, the new Shakti Bhatt Prize was awarded to incarcerated scholars and writers Anand Teltumbde and Gautam Navlakha.[6]

In May 2021, the Foundation announced that there would be no prize for 2021, and instead donated the prize money towards relief efforts relating to the COVID-19 pandemic in India.[7] In 2025, it was announced that the award will be discontinued from next year.[8]

Eligibility and Criteria[edit | edit source]

Between 2008 and 2019, the Award was open to nominations of first books published during the previous year in the Indian subcontinent within the categories of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama. Eligible books were either written in English, or translated into English from other languages. Publications from vanity presses were excluded.[2][9]

In 2020, Thayil announced that the Prize would now be awarded to recognize a writer's body of work, rather than a first book. Speaking about the changes, Thayil stated, "It just seems to us that at this point (in 2020) it does not make sense to have a first book prize. When we started nobody was doing it. In time, first books came up in many shortlists. In fact, there were copycats for just first books prize as well. We just did not see the relevance. So, we wanted to give it to somebody where it will make a difference."[6]

The Award initially carried a cash prize of ₹100,000 (US$1,400).[2] In 2014, the prize amount was increased to ₹200,000.[6][10]

Awards[edit | edit source]

2008–2019[edit | edit source]

Year Jury Shortlist Winner
2008[11] William Dalrymple

Kamila Shamsie

Samit Basu

Mohammad Hanif, A Case of Exploding Mangoes[5]
2009[12] Rana Dasgupta

Mukund Padmanabhan

Arshia Sattar

Mridula Koshy, If It is Sweet[13]
2010[14] Mahesh Dattani

Kalpana Swaminathan

Ruchir Joshi.

Samanth Subramaniam, Following Fish[15][9]
2011[16] Sarnath Banerjee

Jai Arjun Singh

Palash Mehrotra

Jamil Ahmad, The Wandering Falcon[17][18]
2012[19] David Godwin

Tishani Doshi

Basharat Peer

  • Navneet Jagannatha, Tamasha in Bandargaon
  • Priyamvada N. Purushotham, The Purple Line
  • Sudha Shah, The King in Exile
  • Taj Hassan, The Inexplicable Unhappiness of Ramu Hajjam
  • Naresh Fernandes, Taj Mahal Foxtrot: The Story of Bombay's Jazz Age
  • Bunny Suraiya, Calcutta Exile
 Naresh Fernandes, Taj Mahal Foxtrot: The Story of Bombay's Jazz Age[20]
2013[21] Meena Kandasamy

Sunil Khilnani

Niven Govinden

Nilanjana Roy,The Wildings[22]
2014[10] Amit Chaudhuri

Aatish Taseer

Mridula Koshy

Bilal Tanweer, The Scatter Here Is Too Great[23][24]
2015[25] Samhita Arni

Mohammed Hanif

Krys Lee

  • Indra Das, The Devourers
  • Saskya Jain, Fire Under Ash
  • Raghu Karnad, The Farthest Field
  • Rohini Mohan, The Seasons of Trouble
  • Bharath Murthy, The Vanished Path
  • Shahid Siddiqui, The Golden Pigeon
 Rohini Mohan, The Seasons of Trouble[26]
2016[27] Samanth Subramaniam

Mahesh Rao

Janice Pariat

  • Manu S Pillai, The Ivory Throne
  • Madhu Gurung, The Keeper of Memories
  • Sophia Khan, Yasmeen
  • Nisid Hajari, Midnight’s Furies
  • Kanishk Tharoor, Swimmer Among the Stars
  • Akshaya Mukul, The Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India
 Akshaya Mukul, The Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India[28]
2017[29] Kamila Shamsie

Rohini Mohan

Margaret Mascarenhas

  • Anuk Arudpragasam,The Story of a Brief Marriage
  • Prayaag Akbar, Leila
  • Hirsh Sawhney, South Haven
  • Sumana Roy, How I Became a Tree
  • Tripti Lahiri, Maid In India
  • Tejaswini Apte-Rahm, These Circuses that Sweep Through the Landscape
 Anuk Arudpragasam,The Story of a Brief Marriage[30]
2018[31] Githa Hariharan

Sampurna Chattarji

Raghu Karnad

Sujatha Gidla, Ants Among Elephants: An Untouchable Family and the Making of Modern India[32]
2019[33] Sonia Faleiro

Prayaag Akbar

Ruskin Bond

Tony Joseph, Early Indians: The Story of Our Ancestors and Where We Came[34]

2020–2025[edit | edit source]

Year Honorees
2020 Gautam Navlakha, Anand Teltumbde[6]
2021 No prize awarded: prize funds were donated to relief efforts relating to the COVID-19 pandemic in India.[7]
2022 Manoranjan Byapari[35]
2024 Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih, for his body of work.[36]
2025 Zara Chowdhary, The Lucky Ones (memoir)[8]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Chakrabarti, Paromita (2022-09-15). "Bengali writer Manoranjan Byapari wins the 2022 Shakti Bhatt Prize". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Remembering Shakti Bhatt: The Shakti Bhatt Foundation announces the inaugural 2008 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize". Remembering Shakti Bhatt. 2007-09-22. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  3. ↑ Mishra, Gaurav (2007-04-05). "Bloggers in India Mourn the Untimely Death of Shakti Bhatt · Global Voices". Global Voices. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  4. ↑ Taneja, Preti (2018-02-09). "Jeet Thayil: 'I have a liver condition, I'm reckless and I'm very aware that time is limited'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "A Case of Exploding Talent - Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Revamped Shakti Bhatt prize honours activists Anand Teltumbde and Gautam Navlakha". The Indian Express. 2020-07-16. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Basu, Rohan Datta & Narayani (2021-05-29). "Why the prize money for Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2021 is going to Covid-19 relief". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2021-11-29.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Zara Chowdhary wins 2025 Shakti Bhatt award for debut memoir". The Hindu. 2025-06-27. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Subramanian's debut novel wins prize". Zee News. 2010-12-10. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Remembering Shakti Bhatt: Bilal Tanweer wins 2014 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize". Remembering Shakti Bhatt. 2014-11-24. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  11. ↑ "Remembering Shakti Bhatt: Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize - Shortlist". Remembering Shakti Bhatt. 2008-08-01. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  12. ↑ "Remembering Shakti Bhatt: The Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2009 - Winner". Remembering Shakti Bhatt. 2009-12-07. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  13. ↑ "Writer Mridula Koshy wins 2009 Shakti Bhatt award". Rediff. 2009-12-08. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  14. ↑ "Remembering Shakti Bhatt: The Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2010 - Winner". Remembering Shakti Bhatt. 2010-12-04. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  15. ↑ Mande, Abhishek (2010-12-06). "Wandering along India's coast, following fish". Rediff. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  16. ↑ "Remembering Shakti Bhatt: The Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2011 - Winner". Remembering Shakti Bhatt. 2011-11-30. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  17. ↑ Ramachandran, Smriti Kak (2011-12-22). "An award after four decades of hibernation". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  18. ↑ Dawn.com (2011-12-11). "The Wandering Falcon wins prize in India". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  19. ↑ "Remembering Shakti Bhatt: Naresh Fernandes's Taj Mahal Foxtrot wins the Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2012". Remembering Shakti Bhatt. 2012-12-04. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  20. ↑ Staff Reporter (2012-12-05). "Naresh Fernandes wins Shakti Bhatt Prize". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  21. ↑ "Six books on shortlist for Shakti Bhatt Prize". Rediff. 2013-09-01. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  22. ↑ "Nilanjana Roy wins the 2013 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize". Rediff. 2013-11-26. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  23. ↑ Special Correspondent (2014-11-24). "Bilal Tanweer wins Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-09-06. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  24. ↑ Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (2014-12-04). "Bilal Tanweer's novel wins Shakti Bhatt book prize". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  25. ↑ "Remembering Shakti Bhatt: Rohini Mohan wins Shakti Bhatt prize". Remembering Shakti Bhatt. 2015-11-24. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  26. ↑ "Author, journalist Rohini Mohan wins Shakti Bhatt prize". The Economic Times. 2015-11-25. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  27. ↑ "Remembering Shakti Bhatt: 2016 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize: short list". Remembering Shakti Bhatt. 2016-08-27. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  28. ↑ Scroll Staff. "Akshaya Mukul's 'Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India' wins Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2016". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  29. ↑ "Remembering Shakti Bhatt: Anuk Arudpragasam's The Story of a Brief Marriage wins the 2017 prize". Remembering Shakti Bhatt. 2017-11-24. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  30. ↑ "After DSC Prize, Arudpragasam bags Shakti Bhatt award". Zee News. 2017-11-22. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  31. ↑ "Remembering Shakti Bhatt: Sujatha Gidla wins Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2018". Remembering Shakti Bhatt. 2018-10-19. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  32. ↑ "Sujatha Gidla's Ants Among Elephants bags Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2018". The Indian Express. 2018-10-19. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  33. ↑ "Remembering Shakti Bhatt: Tony Joseph wins Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize 2019". Remembering Shakti Bhatt. 2019-12-02. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  34. ↑ "Author Tony Joseph's 'Early Indians' wins 2019 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize". The Hindu. PTI. 2019-12-02. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  35. ↑ Scroll Staff (2022-09-15). "Bengali author Manoranjan Byapari is the winner of 2022 Shakti Bhatt Book Prize". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
  36. ↑ "Poet, novelist, and dramatist Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih wins the 2024 Shakti Bhatt Prize". scroll.in. 2024-10-04. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
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