The novel “Fire Bird,” written by Perumal Murugan and translated into English by Janani Kannan, was awarded the JCB Prize for Literature in 2023. The novel was a triumphant winner.

New Delhi was the location where the announcement of the coveted prize was made, and Penguin Random House India was the publisher of the book.

Praise from the Jury for Universality in Particular Terms

The author Srinath Perur, who served as the chair of the five-person jury, praised the film “Fire Bird,” adding that Murugan conveys a universal story that is connected to the land with an astonishing and particularity.

It was praised that Janani Kannan’s translation was able to preserve not only the rhythms of the Tamil language but also an entire way of being in the world.

Taking in a Different World Through Absorption

Swati Thiyagarajan, a journalist and filmmaker who was a member of the jury, referred to the work as “a powerful evocative story of an ordinary life.”

Her focus was on the book’s ability to transport readers from the English language to a different world, time, and location, thereby enhancing their comprehension of rural Tamil Nadu.

An announcement made virtually and a presentation made in person

It was Deepak Shetty, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of JCB India Limited, who made the actual presentation of the award. Lord Bamford, Chairman of the JCB Group, made the announcement digitally.

A monetary reward of Rs 25 lakh is awarded to the author of the JCB Literary reward, and an extra Rs 10 lakh is awarded to the translator along with the author.

Honoring the Contributions of Perumal Murugan to the World of Literature

With a total of twelve novels, six collections of short stories, six anthologies of poetry, and a large number of non-fiction publications to his name, Perumal Murugan has effectively established himself as a prominent figure in the world of literature.

There are ten of his novels that have been translated into English. Some of these works are “Seasons of the Palm,” “Current Show,” and “One Part Woman and Others.”

Prominently Unique Works That Were Selected

‘The Secret of More’ by Tejaswini Apte-Rahm, ‘The Nemesis’ by Manoranjan Byapari, ‘Mansur’ by Vikramajit Ram, and ‘I Named My Sister Silence’ by Manoj Rupda were some of the other important works that were featured on the shortlist.