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Who Is Geetanjali Shree, India’s First Hindi Novelist To Win Prestigious International Booker Prize?

Geetanjali Shree’s book Tomb of Sand becomes the first Hindi novel to win the prestigious International Booker Award, in 2022. The book was written originally in Hindi as Ret Samadhi, and translated into English by Daisy Rockwell. It is a massive achievement for Indian Literature. Lets us take a moment to know who Geetanjali Shree is, the writer who gave India the opportunity to witness this momentous feat. 

Who Is Geetanjali Shree?

Geetanjali Shree, a 64-year-old Hindi novelist, and a short-story writer was born in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh. Since Geetajali Ji’s father was a civil servant, she was not restricted to one city in Uttar Pradesh. She has many published short stories and has written five novels. Her works have been translated into various languages such as English, German, French, Serbia, and Korean.

Geetanjali Shree’s first work was a story Bel Patra was published in 1987 in a literary magazine, and later in 1991, she had a collection of short stories to her name, called Anugoonj. She is also a critic of Premchand. Geetanjali Shree’s most famous novel was Mai which gave her recognition in the initial days of her career. It was translated into English by Nita Kumar and won the Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize. Her second novel Hamara Shahar Us Baras has a plot based on the Babri Masjid Demolition incidents. Shree’s fourth novel which was published in 2006 Khālī Jagah has also been translated into several languages.


Apart from the most prominent literary award that Geetanjali Shree received, the writer has many accolades to her name. She was honoured with the Indu Katha Samman award. Geetanjali Shree is also a fellow of the Ministry of Culture, India and Japan Foundation.

Also Read: Geetanjali Shree’s Novel ‘Tomb Of Sand’ Becomes The First-Ever Indian Language Book To Win International Booker Prize

While receiving the most prestigious award of her career The Booker Prize, Geetanjali Shree said that she had never dreamt of getting one, and felt amazed and delighted.

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