PEN Translates Award 2025: Hindi author Geetanjali Shree wins global honour for Once Elephants Lived Here, translated by Daisy Rockwell. Learn key facts, historical context, and exam-ready takeaways.
Geetanjali Shree Wins PEN Translates Award for ‘Once Elephants Lived Here’
Award Announcement and Literary Achievement
Geetanjali Shree, the celebrated Hindi author who previously earned international acclaim for Tomb of Sand, has been honoured with the prestigious PEN Translates Award 2025 for her new work Once Elephants Lived Here. The English translation—rendered masterfully by Daisy Rockwell—was selected by English PEN, a leading UK-based literary and human rights organisation dedicated to promoting literary translation and global bibliodiversity
Significance of the Selection
As part of the PEN Translates × SALT collaboration, this round featured 14 outstanding titles spanning 13 languages, among which Once Elephants Lived Here stood out as a powerful example of South Asian literature reaching global audiencesThis recognition underscores the work’s exceptional literary quality and universal resonance.
About the Work and Themes
Once Elephants Lived Here is a collection of short stories steeped in lyrical prose, exploring themes of memory, displacement, ecological loss, and social transformation—hallmarks of Shree’s narrative style. Rockwell’s translation preserves the cultural nuances and poetic rhythm of the Hindi original, making it accessible to English-speaking readers without diluting its authenticity
Impact on Indian Literature
This award not only adds another global accolade to Shree’s illustrious career but also elevates the profile of literature in Hindi and other regional languages. It spotlights the richness of India’s vernacular storytelling tradition and the talent that often remains underrepresented in international literary circuits
Collaborative Excellence: Author & Translator Duo
This is a continuation of the powerful author-translator partnership between Geetanjali Shree and Daisy Rockwell—whose earlier translation of Tomb of Sand won the International Booker Prize in 2022. Their collaborative synergy is now celebrated again, strengthening Indian literature’s presence on the global stage
Overall, this recognition enhances India’s literary soft power and encourages greater translation and publication of works from local languages, enriching cross-cultural literary discourse.
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B) Why This News Is Important
Elevating Hindi & Vernacular Literature
This award marks a significant milestone in literary history by recognising a Hindi-language work on a global platform. It demonstrates that regional Indian languages can resonate deeply with international audiences, thus paving the way for greater bibliodiversity within global literature.
Boost for Translation Ecosystem
The honour spotlights the crucial role of skilled translators in bridging linguistic and cultural gaps. Daisy Rockwell’s adept rendering of Shree’s prose emphasizes how thoughtful translation preserves original voice while expanding readership—critical for students interested in literature, culture, and translation studies.
Relevance for Competitive Exams
Understanding developments like this is relevant for government exams because it aligns with topics in culture, awards, literature, and diversity. Questions may touch upon PEN awards, Indian authors on international platforms, or the impact of translation in fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Broader Cultural Diplomacy
India’s cultural influence is enhanced as its literary works gain traction abroad. Such recognitions serve as soft-power instruments, showcasing India’s rich linguistic heritage and diverse storytelling beyond English, strengthening its cultural diplomacy credentials.
Inspiration for Aspiring Writers & Translators
For students preparing for civil service or cultural positions, this serves as an inspiring example of how regional language literature can attain global acclaim. It underscores opportunities in literature, translation, publishing, and international collaboration.
C) Historical Context
Background on Geetanjali Shree
Born in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, in 1957, Geetanjali Shree is a prolific Hindi novelist and short storyteller based in New Delhi. She has authored several acclaimed novels and story collections over her multi‑decade literary career
Previous Milestones
In 2022, her novel Ret Samadhi, translated as Tomb of Sand by Daisy Rockwell, became the first Hindi-language book to win the International Booker Prize, a milestone that brought unprecedented attention to Hindi literature
About PEN Translates Award
Administered by English PEN, one of the oldest human rights and literary organisations, the PEN Translates programme provides grants for translating exceptional works into English. It has funded over 400 titles from more than 90 languages, emphasising literary excellence and cultural diversity
PEN Translates × SALT Collaboration
Launched by the University of Chicago’s SALT project in partnership with English PEN, this initiative focuses on promoting South Asian literature in translation. It selected two South Asian titles in its inaugural round—Once Elephants Lived Here and Eyes, Eyes, Eyes—highlighting a commitment to regional representation on the world stage
Key Takeaways from Once Elephants Lived Here Award
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Geetanjali Shree’s Once Elephants Lived Here won the PEN Translates Award 2025 for English translation |
| 2 | Translated by Daisy Rockwell, who previously translated Tomb of Sand and won the International Booker Prize with Shree |
| 3 | The award is part of PEN Translates × SALT, promoting South Asian literature translation into English for global readership |
| 4 | Selection criteria included literary excellence, publishing vision, and contribution to bibliodiversity in English‑language publishing |
| 5 | Recognises the rising global visibility of Hindi and regional Indian literature, reinforcing India’s cultural soft power |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who is Geetanjali Shree?
Geetanjali Shree is a prominent Hindi author known for her novels and short stories. She became internationally acclaimed after her novel Ret Samadhi, translated into English as Tomb of Sand, won the International Booker Prize in 2022.
Q2. What is the PEN Translates Award?
The PEN Translates Award is an initiative by English PEN that supports the translation of outstanding literary works into English, promoting global voices and literary diversity.
Q3. What is the title of the book for which Geetanjali Shree received the PEN Translates Award in 2025?
She received the award for Once Elephants Lived Here, a collection of short stories translated into English by Daisy Rockwell.
Q4. Who translated Once Elephants Lived Here into English?
The book was translated by Daisy Rockwell, who previously translated Tomb of Sand and shared the International Booker Prize with Shree.
Q5. Why is this news relevant for competitive exams?
This news is important for General Awareness and Current Affairs sections of exams like UPSC, PSCs, SSC, Banking, and Defence as it covers international recognition of Indian literature, awards, cultural diplomacy, and translation.
Q6. What is the SALT project in relation to this award?
SALT (South Asian Literature in Translation) is a collaboration with English PEN aimed at promoting South Asian literature through quality English translations.
Q7. What was the first Hindi novel to win the International Booker Prize?
Tomb of Sand by Geetanjali Shree, translated by Daisy Rockwell, won the International Booker Prize in 2022.
Q8. How many titles were selected in the PEN Translates × SALT round?
14 titles spanning 13 languages were selected in the award round.
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