Sunday Inspiration- First Booker Prize Winner Geetanjali Shree

Geetanjali Shree is a Hindi-language short story writer and novelist from New Delhi, India. She has written several short stories and five novels, with her 2000 novel "Mai" being shortlisted for the Crossword Book Award in 2001 and later translated into English by Nita Kumar in 2017. In 2022, her novel "Ret Samadhi" (translated as "Tomb of Sand" by Daisy Rockwell) won the International Booker Prize. In addition to fiction writing, Geetanjali has also written critical works on Premchand.

More About India’s First Booker Prize Winner

Shree was born on June 12, 1957, in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, India. Her father was a civil servant, leading to her family's frequent relocation throughout Uttar Pradesh. She credits this upbringing and the lack of English children's books with her strong connection to Hindi literature. She has roots in Ghazipur District, Gondaur village.

Shree studied history, earning a BA from Lady Shri Ram College and a Master's from Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. While pursuing a PhD in Hindi, writer Munshi Premchand’s works at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, she became more interested in Hindi literature and wrote her first short story. She transitioned to writing full-time after completing her PhD.

About Geetanjali Shree Short Stories & Novels

Shree's writing career began with the publication of "Bel Patra," her first story, in the magazine Hans, followed by a collection of short stories in 1991. Her novel "Mai," about three generations of women and men living in a North Indian middle-class family, brought her international recognition. The novel has been translated into several languages, including English by Nita Kumar and Urdu by Bashir Unwan.

"Hamara Shahar Us Baras", Shree's second novel, is loosely based on the events of the Babri Masjid demolition. "Khālī jagah", her fourth novel, has been translated into English, French, and German. Her fifth novel "Ret Samadhi" (2018), has been praised for its language and imagination, and its English translation "Tomb of Sand" won the International Booker Prize in 2022, marking the first Hindi language book and the first from an Indian writer to receive the award.

Geetanjali Shree’s Booker Prize-Winning Novel

"Tomb of Sand" (also known as "Ret Samadhi" in Hindi) is a powerful tale of loss and renewal. The story follows an 80-year-old woman, Ma, after her husband's death, who embarks on a journey to Pakistan to confront the unresolved trauma of her teenage experiences during Partition and reassess her roles as a mother, daughter, woman, and feminist. The International Booker Prize judges praised the book for its "loud and irresistible" storytelling. Yet, it moves slowly, allowing each character to be intricately developed. 

"Tomb of Sand" explores themes of loss, motherhood, feminism, and the residual effects of Partition through the story of an elderly woman's journey of self-discovery. With lyrical prose and imaginative details, the author and translator bring each character, living or non-living, to life. The novel is a powerful critique of women's experiences in the modern world and highlights the internalisation of their pain. A must-read for all, "Tomb of Sand" invites readers to delve into its rich themes and captivating storytelling.

The Bottom Line

Geetanjali Shree is a talented and insightful author whose work is rich with cultural and emotional depth. Her writing provides a window into the lives of people in India, illuminating the complexities of family relationships and the struggle to maintain one's individuality and sense of self in a rapidly changing world. Her win of India’s First International Booker Prize is a testament to the quality and impact of her work, and we can expect great things from her in the future.