International Booker Prize: Year Established, 2025 Winner & List of Indian Winners

The International Booker Prize is one of the most prestigious awards for translated fiction. It is awarded annually for a work of fiction that has been translated into English from any language, recognizing both the author and the translator. This prize is significant because it highlights the importance of global literary works and promotes the translation of literature into English, allowing readers worldwide to explore stories from diverse cultures. By doing so, it celebrates literary diversity and bridges gaps between languages, making literature accessible to a global audience.

This topic is relevant for the UPSC General Studies Paper I (Art & Culture). Understanding global cultural events like the International Booker Prize helps students comprehend global diplomacy, cultural exchange, and soft power.

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About the International Booker Prize

The International Booker Prize honors a single work of fiction, written in any language and translated into English. The award not only celebrates the creativity of the author but also acknowledges the vital role of translators in making these works accessible to English-speaking audiences. Unlike the Booker Prize, which is awarded to works originally written in English, the International Booker focuses on global literature.

The prize aims to bring international attention to literary works that might otherwise be overlooked in the English-speaking world. It helps highlight the diversity and richness of global literature and supports the translators who make such works available in a new language.

The following table summarizes the most important details about the International Booker Prize:

Latest News Related to the International Booker Prize

International Booker Prize 2025 Winner Announced!

"Heart Lamp" by Banu Mushtaq, translated by Deepa Bhasthi, wins the International Booker Prize 2025. The announcement was made at a ceremony at London's Tate Modern on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

History & Evolution of the International Booker Prize

The International Booker Prize was established in 2005 as an extension of the original Man Booker Prize to acknowledge translated fiction. It was created to recognize and celebrate the world’s best non-English language novels translated into English. Initially known as the Booker International Prize, it became the International Booker Prize in 2016 to give it more clarity and recognition.

The prize has evolved significantly since its inception. The first prize, awarded in 2005, was given to the writer Isabel Allende for her work "The House of the Spirits." In 2016, the prize introduced a new rule: both the author and translator would receive the award equally, acknowledging the vital role of the translator in bridging the linguistic gap.

The International Booker Prize not only shines a spotlight on the writers but also on their translators, without whose hard work the stories would not reach the English-speaking world. This shift has made the prize particularly relevant in today's globalized world, where cross-cultural exchanges in literature are essential for promoting diversity.

Read the article on Globalization!

The winner of the International Booker Prize 2025 is:

• Author: Banu Mushtaq (India)
• Translator: Deepa Bhasthi (India)
• Book: Heart Lamp (original language: Kannada)

This is a historic win as it's the first time a collection of short stories has won the International Booker Prize, and also the first time a book translated from Kannada has received this prestigious award. Deepa Bhasthi is also the first Indian translator to win the prize.

International Booker Prize 2025 Winners Shortlist

International Booker Prize 2024 Winner

The International Booker Prize 2024 (awarded in May 2024) went to Jenny Erpenbeck for her novel "Kairos," translated from German by Michael Hofmann. This was the first time a German writer had won the prize. "Kairos" explored a destructive love affair set against the backdrop of East Berlin in the 1980s, intertwining personal relationships with significant political changes.

Read the article on Jnanpith Award!

India has produced several prominent writers who have been honored by the International Booker Prize. These winners have contributed immensely to Indian and world literature. Here are some notable Indian winners:

India's growing recognition in the International Booker Prize highlights the rich literary heritage of the country and its authors' contributions to global discourse.

Read the article on Padma Awards 2025!

Significance of the International Booker Prize

The International Booker Prize holds great significance for several reasons. First and foremost, it encourages the translation of literary works into English, allowing readers from different countries to experience stories from various cultures. This helps in promoting global understanding and bridging cultural gaps through literature.

The prize also provides a platform for authors from underrepresented regions to gain international recognition, which is especially important for writers who might otherwise not receive attention outside of their own countries. Moreover, by celebrating both the author and the translator, the prize highlights the essential role of translation in the world of literature.

For countries like India, the International Booker Prize is an opportunity to showcase their literary talent on the global stage. It helps raise awareness of the richness of Indian literature and attracts attention to Indian writers, both within the country and internationally.

Read the article on Padma Awards 2024!

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