Upamanyu Chatterjee wins JCB Prize for Literature 2024 for ‘Lorenzo Searches for the Which means of Life’

Upamanyu Chatterjee wins JCB Prize for Literature 2024 for ‘Lorenzo Searches for the Which means of Life’

Writer Upamanyu Chatterjee’s newest work ‘Lorenzo Searches for the Which means of Life‘ gained the JCB Prize for Literature 2024 at an occasion which was held on the JCB India Headquarters, Ballabhgarh on November 23. Chatterjee was awarded a prize cash of INR 25 lakh prize together with a trophy, which is a sculpture titled ‘Mirror Melting’ by Delhi artist duo– Thukral and Tagra.
Upamanyu Chatterjee’s novel was chosen because the winner from a shortlist of six books, which included: ‘Sanatan’ by Sharankumar Limbale and translated by Paromita Sengupta, ‘Chronicle of an Hour and a Half’ by Saharu Nusaiba Kannanari, ‘The One Legged’ by Sakyajit Bhattacharya and translated by Rituparna Mukherjee, and ‘Maria, Simply Maria’ by Sandhya Mary and translated by Jayasree Kalathil.
The award was handed over on behalf of Lord Bamford, Chairman, JCB by Deepak Shetty, CEO & MD, JCB India. Talking on the occasion, Mr Shetty mentioned, “The JCB Prize for Literature was conceptualised by Lord Bamford to have fun the Indian-ness of
Indian literature. Over time this award has attracted among the most eclectic mixture of works and this yr has been no totally different. Congratulations to Upamanyu Chatterjee’s ‘Lorenzo Searches for the Which means of Life’ on behalf of the whole JCB Household.”
He added, “There may be a lot that modern Indian literature in regional languages has to supply to the readers. Publishers play a key function in supporting and selling high-quality translations in order that these works are accessible to each young and old readers by means of platforms that swimsuit their preferences. India’s evolving strategy to each writing and consuming literature promise some thrilling studying experiences forward.”
Printed by Talking Tiger Books, ‘Lorenzo Searches for the Which means of Life’ follows the lifetime of Lorenzo Senesi as he discovers God and within the course of, himself too. In 1977, when he was simply 19, Lorenzo has an accident in Italy whereby he breaks his forearm. He spends a month in bedrest, recuperating and that is when he begins desirous about life and God. After recovering, he enrols in a physiotherapy course whereas additionally becoming a member of a prayer group, and visiting a Benedictine monastery close to Padua. This monastery turns into his residence for the subsequent 10 years, and later he strikes to Benedictine ashram in Bangladesh the place he spends a few years. Whereas main a humble life there, he unexpectedly falls in love discovers that a lifetime of service to God is sufficient, nonetheless, it’s also not sufficient.
On profitable the award, Upamanyu Chatterjee mentioned, “I wish to thank a number of folks for this award: firstly, JCB for its generosity and for organising this relaxed occasion. Ravi Singh, Renuka Chatterjee and the group at Talking Tiger for publishing my books. I have to thank the jury members for his or her good style. And I have to additionally not overlook to thank two individuals who aren’t here– one my spouse, as a result of she was the one who gave me the thought for ‘Lorenzo…’, and Fabelicio– a pal of ours whose story it’s.” Speaking about his guide, he added, “Even after I was penning this guide, I used to be considering it’s a hell of a boring guide. Nevertheless it appears to have labored!”

The jury for JCB Prize for Literature 2024 included: author-translator Jerry Pinto (Chair), artwork historian-curator Deepthi Sashidharan, scholar-writer-translator Tridip Suhrud, filmmaker-writer Shaunak Sen, and artist Aqui Thami.
Praising the guide, Jerry Pinto, Chair of Jury, mentioned, “Upamanyu Chatterjee’s ‘Lorenzo Searches for the Which means of Life’ is a tour de pressure that takes us into the depths of a person’s soul and throughout the various geographies of religion and cause. It’s a guide to be learn and re-read for its ambition and its achievement.”
Began in 2018, this was the seventh version of JCB Prize for Literature.