Geetanjali Shree’s Global Triumph with PEN Translates Award

Geetanjali Shree’s international literary impact

Geetanjali Shree’s Global Triumph with PEN Translates Award: Geetanjali Shree, a prominent Hindi author, has once again earned global recognition by winning the PEN Translates Award 2025 for her book Once Elephants Lived Here. The book was translated into English by Daisy Rockwell, who earlier translated Shree’s Tomb of Sand, winner of the International Booker Prize 2022.

This new award marks a significant moment not just for Shree, but also for Indian and especially Hindi literature on the global stage.

What is the PEN Translates Award

The PEN Translates Award is a prestigious honour conferred by English PEN, a UK-based literary and human rights organisation. It aims to support exceptional literary works from around the world by funding their translation into English. The 2025 edition recognised 14 books across 13 languages and 11 global regions.

Once Elephants Lived Here was selected for its cultural depth and poetic narrative, while Rockwell’s translation was commended for preserving the authentic voice of the original Hindi.

Static GK fact: English PEN was established in 1921 and is one of the world’s oldest human rights organisations advocating freedom of expression.

Why this award matters for India

This award has multiple implications for India’s cultural and literary influence globally.

It promotes Hindi literature by showcasing it to new, non-native audiences. It also strengthens India’s soft power, as literature becomes a vehicle for projecting its rich, multilingual heritage.

Additionally, the award recognises the vital role of translators, bridging language barriers and amplifying regional voices.

Static GK Tip: Hindi is the third most spoken language in the world, after English and Mandarin.

About Geetanjali Shree

Geetanjali Shree is an acclaimed novelist and short story writer in Hindi. Her breakthrough into international prominence came with Tomb of Sand (Ret Samadhi), which became the first Hindi-language novel to win the International Booker Prize in 2022.

She is widely respected for her lyrical writing style, cultural depth, and ability to universalise Indian experiences for a global readership. Her collaboration with Daisy Rockwell, a noted American translator and academic, has played a major role in her international acclaim.

About Once Elephants Lived Here

The book, though awaiting its full English release, explores themes of extinction, memory, and human-nature relationships. Its poetic title evokes a deep sense of ecological and cultural loss, in line with Shree’s tradition of philosophical storytelling.

The recognition of this yet-unreleased English version highlights how translation can pre-emptively generate global anticipation for regional narratives.

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Geetanjali Shree’s Global Triumph with PEN Translates Award: