Books
A New International $25,000 Literary Prize for Punjabi Writers
NEWS REPORT
Under the aegis of the University of British Columbia (UBC), a new International Punjabi Literature Prize has been instituted to celebrate the rich history of the Punjabi language and its current remarkable journey in the world of language and literature.
The cash prize of $25,000 will be awarded annually to one ‘best book’ in either Gurmukhi or Shahmukhi scripts internationally. Two runner-up prizes of $5,000 will be awarded, one for each script.
Winners for the first set of winners will be announced at an inaugural gala in October 2014 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
The Dhahan International Punjabi Literature Prize, established by Barj and Rita Dhahan, family and friends, was founded with the goal to recognize the universality of the Punjabi language, inspire leadership in Punjabi literature and build social bridges between Canada, India, Pakistan and other countries which have vibrant, dynamic and successful Punjabi speaking communities.
Guided by a strong interest in Punjab, the donors have partnered in this venture with the Department of Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts at UBC, which is home to one of the largest and longest standing Punjabi language programs outside of South Asia. The aim of this partnership is to highlight the literature of a rich and passionate language that can speak not only to Punjabis around the world, but to all.
The Prize will entice new readership and ideally, the translation of works from Punjabi into English. It will also bring crucial material support to writers already active in the field. It will directly benefit writers and inspire new writing in the language, and also bring new attention to general writing in Punjabi, within a broader community.
Anne Murphy, Assistant Professor and Chair, Punjabi Language, Literature and Sikh Studies views the Punjabi Literature Prize as having the potential to act as a catalyst: recognizing the meritorious literary work that is produced in the Punjabi language, and inspiring and supporting the production of more.
By crossing national borders, the Prize reaches across the boundaries that Punjabi literature itself transcends. Modern Punjabi literature is truly transnational in scope, and at the same time embedded in the rich cultural and literary traditions of the Punjab.
“It is time for this literature to receive the recognition that it is due,” Prof Murphy said.
October 9, 2013
Conversation about this article
1: Kuldeep (Crawley, United Kingdom), October 13, 2013, 2:56 PM.
I want to propose the book "O" ... who do I send a copy to, and where?
2: Ali Babar (Punjab, Pakistan), November 17, 2013, 2:21 PM.
I also want to send my Punjabi poetry book, 'Chup To'n Baad' which was published in 2013, as an entrant for this prize. How do I go about doing so? Please guide.