Indian novel 'Tomb Of Sand' wins International Booker Prize

'This is not just about me, the individual. I represent a language and culture and this recognition brings into larger purview the entire world of Hindi literature in particular and Indian literature as a whole,' says Indian writer Geetanjali Shree (right), seated with American translator Daisy Rockwell. Photo: International Booker Prize

Indian writer Geetanjali Shree and American translator Daisy Rockwell won the International Booker Prize on Thursday for Tomb Of Sand, a vibrant novel with a boundary-crossing 80-year-old heroine.

Originally written in Hindi, it’s the first book in any Indian language to win the high-profile award, which recognises fiction from around the world that has been translated into English. The £50,000-pound (RM277,000) prize money will be split between New Delhi-based Shree and Rockwell, who lives in Vermont.