The Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) a platform for literary dialogue and Indian culture, has unveiled the recipients of the 2025 KLF Book Awards, recognizing exceptional contributions to literature across 12 distinct categories. Conferred by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, these accolades commend literary distinction in fiction, non-fiction, poetry, business writing, translation, children’s literature, and debut works in both English and Hindi.
Acclaimed authors such as Dr Vikram Sampath (Tipu Sultan: The Saga of Mysore’s Interregnum (1760-1799)), Vikas Swarup (The Girl with the Seven Lives), Jeet Thayil (I’ll Have It Here), and renowned translator Arunava Sinha (Ten Days of the Strike: Selected Stories) are among the winners in the English categories. Meanwhile, in Hindi, celebrated writers including Anant Vijay (Over the Top: OTT ka Mayajaal), Shiv Balak Misra (Gaanv Se Bees Postcard), Manisha Kulsherstha (Vanya), Sujata Shiven (Charu, Chivar Aur Charya), and Prabhat Ranjan (Kissagram) have been recognized for their exemplary literary contributions.
The award ceremony, held at the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi, commenced with a traditional lighting of the lamp and Saraswati Vandana, symbolising cultural reverence. The chief guest, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, addressed the audience, emphasising the enduring power of storytelling in shaping India’s diverse literary tradition and said, “First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the esteemed authors whose wisdom and literary brilliance have given life to these masterpieces, upholding India’s centuries-old literary tradition. I regard them as both artists and artisans—custodians of our rich cultural heritage. No award can truly capture the depth of their contributions; it is merely a humble gesture of gratitude for their dedication to preserving and enriching our literary legacy.”
Ashok Kumar Bal, CEO and patron of KLF, delivered an inspiring inaugural speech, reaffirming the festival’s commitment to fostering cross-cultural literary dialogue. Addressing the gathering, he said, “The 2025 award-winning books are more than just literary masterpieces—they are voices shaping intellectual discourse. As KLF moves forward, we envision these works sparking new conversations, broadening worldviews, and leaving an indelible mark on readers across the globe.”
Rashmi Ranjan Parida, KLF founder and director, reflected on the evolution of the awards, stating, “The KLF Book Awards have grown into a benchmark of literary excellence. They celebrate voices that challenge perspectives, inspire generations, and contribute to the intellectual and cultural fabric of our society.”
Recognizing the richness and diversity of contemporary literature, the KLF Book Awards honor excellence across seven categories in English and five in Hindi. Each recipient is awarded a cash prize of ₹1 lakh, a citation, a trophy, and a traditional shawl, celebrating their literary achievements.
Winners – KLF Book Awards 2025
English Language Winners:
Non-Fiction: Tipu Sultan: The Saga of Mysore’s Interregnum (1760-1799) by Dr Vikram Sampath, published by Penguin, and The Sherpa Trail: Stories from Darjeeling and Beyond by Nandini Purandare and Deepa Balsavar, published by Roli Books
Fiction: The Girl with the Seven Lives by Vikas Swarup, published by Simon & Schuster, and The Enclave: A Sharp and Hilarious Portrait of Womanhood in India by Rohit Manchanda, published by HarperCollins
Poetry: I’ll Have It Here by Jeet Thayil, published by HarperCollins
Business: Digital Fortunes: A Value Investor’s Guide to the New Economy by Smarak Swain, published by Bloomsbury India
Translation: Ten Days of the Strike: Selected Stories by Sandipan Chattopadhyay, translated from Bengali by Arunava Sinha, published by HarperCollins
Debut Writing: The Many Lives of Syeda X: The Story of an Unknown Indian by Neha Dixit, published by Juggernaut
Children’s Literature: Laxmi Panda: The Story of Netaji’s Youngest Spy by Savie Karnel, published Westland
Hindi Language Winners:
Non-Fiction: Over the Top: OTT ka Mayajaal by Anant Vijay, published by Prabhat Prakashan
Fiction: Vanya by Manisha Kulsherstha, published by Rajpal and Sons, and Kissagram by Prabhat Ranjan, published by Rajpal and Sons
Poetry: Dharm Wah Naav Nahin by Shirish Kumar Maurya, published by Rajkamal Prakashan
Translation: Charu, Chivar Aur Charya by Pradeep Das, translated by Sujata Shiven and published by Penguin
Debut Writing: Chakka Jaam by Gautam Choubey, published by Rajkamal Prakashan
Special Citation: Gaanv Se Bees Postcard by Shiv Balak Misra, published by Eka – an imprint of Westland
In addition to honoring 15 exceptional books in English and Hindi, the KLF Book Awards will also recognize four outstanding works in Sanskrit and Odia. These prestigious awards will be presented during the annual Kalinga Literary Festival, scheduled to take place in Bhubaneswar from 21–23 March 2025.
Established as a benchmark for literary distinction, the awards highlight India’s rich linguistic heritage and the evolving role of literature in shaping society. The overwhelming response this year reaffirms KLF’s growing influence in fostering literary excellence and cross-cultural dialogue.
The event culminated in a sincere vote of thanks by Professor Kamala Kanta Dash, who expressed deep appreciation for the invaluable contributions of authors, jurors, publishers, and literary enthusiasts in ensuring the awards’ success.
A post-event gathering at the lawns of India International Centre allowed attendees to engage in stimulating literary discussions. The evening was further enriched by the launch of the book A Various World by Ashok Kumar Bal, followed by a panel discussion featuring members of the KLF Advisory Board.
