Tamil Author Perumal Murugan’s Novel ‘Fire Bird’ Wins 2023 JCB Prize for Literature
Tamil author Perumal Murugan’s novel ‘Fire Bird,’ translated into English by Janani Kannan, has won the prestigious JCB Prize for Literature 2023. The announcement was made in New Delhi on Saturday.
Published by Penguin Random House India, the novel is the English translation of Perumalmurugan’s sixth novel, ‘Alandap Patsi.’ The story follows the struggles of a farming family that migrates and settles in a different place due to the compulsion of their relations.
Writer Srinath Perur, chairman of the five-member jury of the JCB Award, praised the novel by saying that in ‘Fire Bird,’ Murugan takes up the universal story of life bound to the land and narrates it with wonder. Janani Kannan’s translation brings not only the rhythms of Tamil but an entire way of being in the world into English.
Author Kaveri Nambisan also lauded the novel, stating that it simply depicts a life that is already fading from our memory and needs to be preserved.
The award was presented in person by Deepak Shetty, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of JCB India Limited. As part of the award, the writer will be given Rs.25 lakh, and the translator will receive an additional Rs.10 lakh.
Perumal Murugan has written 12 novels, six short story collections, six poetry collections, and several non-fiction books. Ten of her novels have been translated into English, including ‘Seasons of the Palm,’ ‘Current Show,’ and ‘One Part Woman.’
‘Fire Bird’ was selected for the award from a list of other nominated books, including Tejaswini Apte-Rahm’s ‘The Secret of More’ (Aleph Book Company), Manoranjan Payabari’s ‘The Nemesis’ (Westland Books), Vikramajit Ram’s ‘Mansur’ (Pan Macmillan India), and Manoj Rupta’s ‘I Named My Sister Silence’ (Westland Books).
The novel has been well received by readers and critics alike, with its powerful and emotionally charged portrayal of ordinary life. This recognition not only honors the author and translator but also celebrates the beauty of language and storytelling.
For English readers, non-rural Tamils, this is an immersion into a world, a time, a place that will enrich your understanding of a part of our country. You take it with you after you turn the last page, said one of the jury members, journalist and filmmaker Swathi Thiagarajan.
‘Fire Bird’ is a testament to the power of storytelling and the impact of literature in preserving and conveying the essence of a culture. Its win is a celebration of Tamil literature and a testimony to the universal appeal of Murugan’s work.