Daruwalla shortlisted

Poet and writer Keki Daruwalla has been shortlisted for the 2010 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize from the South Asia and Europe region in the Best Book category for his debut novel, For Pepper and Christ (see "Treading a novel path” and "Cruel canvas of conquest,” Parsiana, May 21, 2009). The critically acclaimed prize, which is in its 24th year, has a strong track record of discovering new international stars by recognizing writers in two categories, best book and best first book, mentions a press release from the Commonwealth Foundation which works with support from the Macquarie Group Foundation and had established the prize in 1987.

The final program for 2010 starting in Delhi on April 7 will bring together finalists from different regions of the Commonwealth. Names of the two overall winners will be announced there on April 12. The coveted prize offers "an exceptional opportunity for new writers to demonstrate their talent and for authors already on the literary scene to strengthen their reputation, competing with the best talent from Africa, the Caribbean, Canada and South East Asia and the Pacific,” the press release notes.

Keki Daruwalla: recognition for his talent

The panel of judges which will decide this year’s winners is headed by Justice Nicholas Hasluck and comprises four regional chairpersons, one each from Africa, the Caribbean and Canada, South Asia and Europe, and South East Asia and Pacific, along with the Delhi-based judge Makarand Paranjape who has served twice as regional chair for the prize. Last year’s winner of the Best Book Prize, Australian writer Christos Tsiolkas received £ 10,000 for The Slap, while the Best First Book Prize of £ 5,000 went to Pakistani writer Mohammed Hanif for A Case of Exploding Mangoes. Daruwalla’s novel is set against the age of Vasco da Gama and the spice trade. Earlier, he had won the Commonwealth Poetry Prize for Asia in 1987.