Valley of Words Book Awards announces its 2026 shortlists across eight categories in Hindi, English

The Valley of Words Book Awards 2026 have released their shortlists across eight categories, featuring works in both Hindi and English. The shortlisted titles were selected from a longlist of ten entries per category, with the final list consisting of five books in each. The winners of these awards will be announced during the Valley of Words Literature and Arts Festival, which is scheduled to take place in Dehradun on November 28 and 29. Each winner will receive a cash prize of one lakh rupees along with a trophy. In the English nonfiction category, the shortlisted titles include Believer’s Dilemma: Vajpayee and the Hindu Right’s Path to Power, 1977–2018 by Abhishek Choudhary, Trial by Water: Indus Basin and India-Pakistan Relations by Uttam Kumar Sinha, Called by the Hills: A Home in the Himalaya by Anuradha Roy, The Hindi Heartland: A Study by Ghazala Wahab, and Telling Me My Stories: Fragments of a Himalayan Childhood by Kunzang Choden. These selections reflect a range of themes including political history, personal memoirs, and cultural exploration. For English fiction, the shortlist includes Our Friends in Good Houses by Rahul Pandita, Real Life by Amrita Mahale, Railsong by Rahul Bhattacharya, Rising Sons by Kavery Nambisan, and Remnants of Rebellion by Ponnu Elizabeth Mathew. These novels span diverse narratives, from family dramas to contemporary social issues, showcasing the breadth of literary talent in the English language. The English translation category features works such as Sita’s Veal, translated from Hindi by Nishtha Gautam, The Bitter Fruit Tree and Other Stories, translated from Konkani by Vidya Pai, My Last Autobiography, translated from Marathi by Jerry Pinto, The Dark Hours of the Night, translated from Thamizh by GJV Prasad, and The Blue Potter: The Creative Genius of Punjab, translated from Punjabi by Sushmindar Jeet Kaur. These translations highlight the growing importance of cross-cultural storytelling in Indian literature. In the young adult literature section, the shortlisted titles are A Patch of Sun, A Patch of Shade by Vidya Nesarikar, The White Lotus by Aditi Krishnakumar, Naach by Navnit Nirav, Giants by Huthuka Sumi, and Udne Waala Phool by Upasana. These books cater to younger readers, offering engaging stories that blend fantasy, realism, and emotional depth. The children’s books category includes What’s the Point of KIKI? by Nandita da Cunha, The Night Sky by Samina Mishra, Rain Perfume by Niveditha Reddy, Amma’s Magic Handbag by Vaishali BK, and The Damroo Man and the Monkey Gang by Ishan Trivedi. These titles aim to inspire imagination and curiosity among young readers through creative and culturally rich narratives. In the Hindi nonfiction category, the shortlisted books are Rashtra Nirman Mein Adivasi by Jitendra Meena, Chor Gali Me Titliyan by Jiten Thakur, Chandan Kiwad by Malini Awasthi, Yayavar Ki Yaadein by Devendra Mewari, and Stree: Aseemta Ka Itihas by Abhay Kumar Thakur. These works explore themes of identity, culture, and societal change within the context of Hindi literature. The Hindi fiction shortlist includes Trimaya by Manish Kulshrestha, Shreyasi by Vinay Kumar, Matlab Hindu by Ambar Pandey, Paandaan by Mujtaba Khan, and Kabir Soyi Pir Hai by Pratibha Katiyar. These novels offer a glimpse into the emotional and philosophical landscapes of Hindi-speaking communities. Finally, the Hindi translation category features Kesav Sunhu Prabin translated from English by Reyazul Haque, Dakini translated from English by Suchita Mital, Megh Malhar translated from Assamese by Dinkar Kumar, Orbital translated from English by Rohini, and Jaag Tujhko Door Jana translated from English by Aishwarj Kumar. These translations bring international voices and perspectives into the Hindi literary scene, enriching the diversity of Indian literature.