The Shakti Bhatt Prize, one of South Asia’s most respected literary awards, will come to a close this year, the Foundation announced, with Zara Chowdhary named its final recipient for her debut memoir The Lucky Ones.
First instituted in 2008 to recognize debut authors from the subcontinent, the Shakti Bhatt Prize has, over 17 years, evolved into a broader recognition of literary excellence across genres and geographies in South Asia. Its conclusion marks the end of an influential chapter in the region’s literary history.
A legacy of literary excellence
Originally called The Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize, the award was created in memory of editor and writer Shakti Bhatt, and quickly became a launchpad for new literary voices. It celebrated writers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and across the diaspora, championing works that were bold, urgent, and unafraid to challenge the status quo.
Over the years, the prize has recognized a diverse array of genres, from fiction and memoir to journalism and political critique. Some of its most notable awardees include:
- Mohammed Hanif for A Case of Exploding Mangoes (2008)
- Mridula Koshy for If It Is Sweet (2009)
- Akshaya Mukul for Gita Press and the Making of India (2016)
- Tony Joseph for Early Indians (2019)
- Anand Teltumbde and Gautam Navlakha for their body of work (2020)
In later years, the prize shifted its focus from first books to lifetime contributions, allowing it to honour more established voices. Yet, its return to debut writing for the final award with Zara Chowdhary feels like a full-circle moment.
Honouring The Lucky Ones
(Facebook: Shakti Bhatt Foundation)
This year’s winner, Zara Chowdhary, was recognised for The Lucky Ones, a memoir that recounts the 2002 Gujarat riots through the lens of a 16-year-old Muslim girl growing up in Ahmedabad. The book interweaves personal memory with historical trauma, tracing her family’s multigenerational story against the backdrop of sectarian violence and social unrest. It has been praised for its emotional depth and literary craftsmanship.
Sustaining a Literary Vision
The Foundation credited its longevity to the support of prominent patrons, including journalist and Padma Bhushan awardee TJS George, journalist Sheela Bhatt, Stanford professor Thomas Kailath, and author Arshia Sattar. Their backing helped sustain the prize through changing political and cultural climates, offering recognition, and often moral courage, to voices from the margins.
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