‘Moment of pride’: Wishes pour in as Geetanjali Shree’s ‘Tomb of Sand’ becomes first Hindi novel to win International Booker Prize

The novel follows the journey of an 80-year-old woman who slips into a deep depression after the death of her husband but then resurfaces to gain a new lease on life.

Take a look at the moment Geetanjali Shree and @shreedaisy found out that they had won the #2022InternationalBooker Prize! Find out more about ‘Tomb of Sand’ here: https://t.co/VBBrTmfNIH@TiltedAxisPress #TranslatedFiction pic.twitter.com/YGJDgMLD6G

— The Booker Prizes (@TheBookerPrizes) May 26, 2022

In her acceptance speech, the author said, “There is a melancholy satisfaction in the award going to it. ‘Ret Samadhi/Tomb of Sand’ is an elegy for the world we inhabit, a lasting energy that retains hope in the face of impending doom. The Booker will surely take it to many more people than it would have reached otherwise, that should do the book no harm.”

Many people took to social media to wish the author and express happiness at the win.

“Yessss! Translator Daisy Rockwell and author Geetanjali Shree win the International Booker for ‘Tomb of Sand’ (‘Ret Samadhi’ in the original). A first win for a Hindi novel, an Indian novel, and a south Asian novel. Congratulations!” literary translator Arunava Sinha tweeted, congratulating the author for this massive win.

Yessss! Translator Daisy Rockwell and author Geetanjali Shree win the International Booker for ‘Tomb of Sand’ (‘Ret Samadhi’ in the original). A first win for a Hindi novel, an Indian novel, a south Asian novel. Congratulations! @TheBookerPrizes

— Arunava Sinha (@arunava) May 26, 2022

Member of Parliament Varun Gandhi, too, took to Twitter to express his wishes. “A matter of great pride that Geetanjali Shree’s Tomb of Sand – translated from Ret Samadhi, her brilliant Hindi novel – has won the Booker Prize…,” he wrote.

A matter of great pride that Geetanjali Shree’s Tomb of Sand – translated from रेत समाधि, her brilliant Hindi novel – has won the Booker Prize…

I use this opportunity to post the best books I’ve read so far this year: pic.twitter.com/WTrwYxeNDD

— Varun Gandhi (@varungandhi80) May 27, 2022

Calling it “a moment of pride”, Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, said, “Congratulations to the author of Geetanjali Shree for winning 2022 @TheBookerPrizes for her Hindi translated novel ‘Tomb of Sand’. Originally published in Hindi as ‘Ret Samadhi’, it is the first book in any Indian language to win the prestigious award.”

A moment of pride!

Congratulations to the author of Geetanjali Shree for winning 2022 @TheBookerPrizes for her Hindi translated novel ‘Tomb of Sand’.

Originally published in Hindi as ‘Ret Samadhi’, it is the first book in any Indian language to win the prestigious award. pic.twitter.com/N485hxkS76

— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) May 27, 2022

“It’s great, Geetanjali Shree’s Tomb of Sand, translated from Hindi, has won the Booker. India’s finest literary works exist in its languages. It’s time these were discovered. The world has already discovered that many of the most amazing writers and poets in English are Indian,” media personality Pritish Nandy wrote on Twitter.

It’s great, Geetanjali Shree’s Tomb of Sand, translated from Hindi, has won the Booker. India’s finest literary works exist in its languages. It’s time these were discovered. The world has already discovered that many of the most amazing writers and poets in English are Indian.

— Pritish Nandy (@PritishNandy) May 27, 2022

“Hearty congratulations to Geetanjali Shree ji & @shreedaisy for winning the International Booker Prize 2022. This is a big boost to the literary translations in India and “Tomb of Sand” showcases the depth and richness of literature in various languages of India,” the official Twitter handle of Sahitya Akademi wrote.

Hearty congratulations to Geetanajali Shree ji & @shreedaisy for winning the International Booker Prize 2022. This is a big boost to the literary translations in India and “Tomb of Sand” showcases the depth and richness of literature in various languages of India. https://t.co/dwfqVY2eP8

— Sahitya Akademi (@sahityaakademi) May 27, 2022

Here are some other reactions:

Geetanjali Shree’s Tomb of Sand (Ret Samadhi), translated from Hindi by Daisy Rockwell, winning the 2022 International Booker Prize could be a bigger win than we realise. I feel full of hope.

— Sana Goyal (@SansyG) May 26, 2022

Geetanjali Shree becomes the first Indian writer to win the International Booker Prize for her novel, Tomb of Sand.

First Hindi-language book to be shortlisted for the Booker’s Prize.

Makes it more special when it comes from a JNUite ❤️☺️ pic.twitter.com/JfzMlH4yo6

— Aishe (ঐশী) (@aishe_ghosh) May 27, 2022

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