Geetanjali Shree’s ‘Tomb of Sand’ turns into 1st Hindi novel to win International Booker Prize

Author Geetanjali Shree’s ‘Tomb of Sand’ gained the International Booker Prize, the primary for a Hindi novel. The novel was initially printed as ‘Ret Samadhi’.

Delhi-based writer Geetanjali Shree and American translator Daisy Rockwell gained the International Booker Prize for his or her novel ‘Tomb of Sand’. (Photo: @TheBookerPrizes)

Delhi-based writer Geetanjali Shree and American translator Daisy Rockwell gained the International Booker Prize on Thursday for his or her novel ‘Tomb of Sand’.

Originally written in Hindi, ‘Tomb of Sand’ is the primary e-book in any Indian language to win the celebrated award.

“We are delighted to announce that the winner of the #2022InternationalBooker Prize is ‘Tomb of Sand’ by Geetanjali Shree, translated from Hindi to English by @shreedaisy and published by @tiltedaxispress,” The Booker Prizes stated in a tweet.

We are delighted to announce that the winner of the #2022InternationalBooker Prize is ‘Tomb of Sand’ by Geetanjali Shree, translated from Hindi to English by @shreedaisy and printed by @tiltedaxispress@Terribleman @JeremyTiang @mervatim @VascoDaGappah @VivGroskop pic.twitter.com/TqUTew0Aem

— The Booker Prizes (@TheBookerPrizes) May 26, 2022

Shree’s e-book, initially printed as ‘Ret Samadhi’, was described by the judges as “loud and irresistible”.

The first Hindi-language e-book that was shortlisted for the £50,000 prize. The prize cash will likely be cut up between Geetanjali and Rockwell.

Take a glance in the intervening time Geetanjali Shree and @shreedaisy came upon that they’d gained the #2022InternationalBooker Prize! Find out extra about ‘Tomb of Sand’ right here: https://t.co/VBBrTmfNIH@TiltedAxisPress #TranslatedFiction pic.twitter.com/YGJDgMLD6G

— The Booker Prizes (@TheBookerPrizes) May 26, 2022

‘Tomb of Sand’ narrates the story of an 80-year-old lady who’s depressed after her husband’s demise. Eventually, she overcomes her despair and decides to go to Pakistan to lastly confront the previous that she left behind throughout the Partition.

Shree is the writer of three novels and a number of other story collections along with her work translated into English, French, German, Serbian, and Korean.

ALSO READ: Geetanjali Shree’s novel ‘Tomb of Sand’ first Hindi work in International Booker Prize longlist

ALSO READ: Daisy Rockwell: Meet the translator of the primary Hindi novel to be nominated for the Booker Prize