For me, The Hindu Lit for Life 2014 was a catalyst for change. It changed the way readers look at my books. It also changed the way I look at my own writing.
To begin with, I did not expect to win this award — such was the quality of books mine was pitted against. Probably no one except my 11-year-old son thought I would win The Hindu Prize for Fiction. For me, being on the shortlist of a prize that was won by three amazingly talented writers was a great achievement in itself.
Though I did not attend the fest, I followed every webcast moment of it. I listened to the luminaries of literature, I watched every discussion, and I could feel the heartbeats of the festival sitting in another city.
I still vividly remember the big day. January 13, 2014. At 6.15 p.m., as the live webcast began, I plugged in earphones and sat in my cubicle staring at a computer screen. When Jim Crace opened the envelope and read a name out, I looked out of the window. And it was a good few moments before I realised that it was my name that had been read out.
In surprise, I must have exclaimed very loudly, for the man in the next cubicle stood up and looked quizzically at me. ‘Are you all right?’ he asked, studying my face. ‘You look shaken. Is the award announced?’
I said yes. He nodded sympathetically, put a hand on my shoulder and said, ‘Don’t lose heart. There is always a next time.’
This year, you have six excellent books on the shortlist and five hard-to-please judges in the panel. Having read all the six books, I have a prediction to make: the judges will have a tough time picking the winner.
