New Delhi: ‘Tomb of Sand,’ a translated Hindi novel by author Geetanjali Shree, has been named the first book published in an Indian language to win the coveted 2022 International Booker Prize. Daisy Rockwell has translated the work, which was originally published in Hndi as Ret Samadhi.
“I never dreamt of the Booker, I never thought I could. What a huge recognition, I’m amazed, delighted, honoured and humbled,” said Geetanjali Shree, in her acceptance speech.
“There is a melancholy satisfaction in the award going to it. ‘Ret Samadhi/Tomb of Sand’ is an elegy for the world we inhabit, a lasting energy that retains hope in the face of impending doom. The Booker will surely take it to many more people than it would have reached otherwise, that should do the book no harm,” she said.
‘Tomb of Sand’ was one of 13 long-listed novels, which came from 12 countries across four continents and were translated into English from 11 languages. GBP 50,000 will be given to Geetanjali, which will be split equally between the author and the translator.
The award-winning novel tells the story of an 80-year-old woman who falls into a profound despair after her husband’s death. She eventually overcomes her despair and chooses to travel to Pakistan in order to confront the history she has been avoiding since the Partition.
Geetanjali has written three novels and several collections of short tales, many of which have been translated into English, French, German, Serbian, and Korean. She was born in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, and now lives in New Delhi.
“The constantly shifting perspectives and timeframes of Geetanjali Shree’s inventive, energetic Tomb of Sand’ lead us into every cranny of an 80-year-old woman’s life and surprising past, the judges said of the Hindi novel, when the Booker Prize long list was announced. “Daisy Rockwell’s spirited translation rises admirably to the complexity of the text, which is full of word play and verve. A loud and irresistible novel.”
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