The prestigious Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF Book Prize is now accepting entries for its ninth edition. The New India Foundation (NIF) has officially opened the nomination process for this celebrated award, which honors outstanding non-fiction literature focused on the Indian subcontinent since 1857.
Prize Details and Eligibility Criteria
The award recognizes exceptional non-fiction books that delve into any aspect of modern India. This includes, but is not limited to, works on history, society, politics, economy, and culture. To be eligible for the 2024 prize, books must have been published for the first time in English between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. Both authors and publishers are encouraged to submit nominations.
The prize carries a significant cash award of ₹15 lakh (15 lakh rupees), making it one of the most substantial literary awards in the country for non-fiction writing. The winner will be selected by a distinguished jury panel, the composition of which will be announced by the NIF in the coming weeks.
Submission Process and Deadline
Interested authors and publishers must submit their entries by the final deadline of August 31, 2024. Nominations should be sent to the New India Foundation's office in Bengaluru. The foundation has specified that all submission-related communications should be directed to their official email address: info@newindiafoundation.org.
The process requires submitting five copies of the nominated book. It is crucial for participants to ensure their work meets the publication timeframe and falls squarely within the non-fiction genre focusing on post-1857 India.
Legacy of the Award and Past Winners
The Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF Book Prize was established to honor the legacy of the remarkable freedom fighter, social reformer, and patron of arts, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay. Administered by the New India Foundation, the award aims to promote rigorous and accessible scholarship on India's recent past and contemporary realities.
The previous winner of the eighth edition was scholar Rochona Majumdar for her book ‘Art Cinema and India’s Forgotten Futures: Film and History in the Postcolony’. Her work was chosen from a highly competitive shortlist that featured other notable authors like Manu S. Pillai, Chitra Venkataramani, and Felipe Fernández-Armesto. The award has consistently succeeded in bringing well-researched and thought-provoking non-fiction into the public spotlight.
By offering this substantial prize, the New India Foundation continues to incentivize high-quality research and narrative non-fiction writing, enriching the public discourse on India's complex journey. Authors with eligible works are urged to prepare their submissions and meet the late summer deadline for a chance to win this esteemed literary honor.
