New Delhi, October 10: The much anticipated longlist for the US $25,000 DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2018 has been announced by eminent historian and academic Rudrangshu Mukherjee, the Chair of the jury panel for the distinguished prize. The longlist of 16 novels, unveiled at the Oxford Bookstore in New Delhi includes 4 translated works where the original writings were in Assamese, Kannada, Tamil and Hindi. The longlist features six women authors and three women translators, and two outstanding debut novels that find place alongside the works of several established writers. The longlist represents the best of South Asian fiction writing over the last year and includes submissions from a diverse mix of publishers and authors of different backgrounds writing on a wide range of issues and themes.
The novels include stunning portrayals of migration, war and the pain of displacement, poignant love stories, the exploration of newfound relationships and identities, and vivification of the personal struggles, hopes and aspirations that symbolize the urgent and divisive realities of contemporary South Asian life.
Apart from authors based in South Asia there are writers based outside the region who have incisively and evocatively brought alive the subtle nuances of South Asian life and culture. The longlist announcement event was attended by publishers, authors and literary enthusiasts who welcomed the selection.
This year, the DSC Prize, administered by the South Asian Literature Prize & Events Trust, received 88 eligible entries and the five member international jury panel diligently went through these entries to arrive at this year’s longlist of 16 novels which they feel represent the best works of fiction related to the South Asian region.
The jury will now deliberate on the longlist over the next month and the shortlist of 5 or 6 books for the DSC Prize 2018 will be announced on November 14, 2018 at the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) in London. Thereafter, the jury will meet again to arrive at the final winner that would be announced at a special Award Ceremony to be hosted in a South Asian city. The DSC Prize for South Asian Literature prides itself on a thorough and transparent judging process and is modelled on global best practices. The 5 member international jury panel, which comprises literary luminaries drawn from diverse geographies and expertise, is solely responsible for deciding and arriving at the longlist, the shortlist and the ultimate winner, and their adjudication is final.