The Crossword Book Awards returned this week for its 19th edition, honouring the stories and writers that have defined Indian literature. The ceremony at the LaLit Mumbai on December 3rd brought together some of the country’s most important literary voices to celebrate what’s been written and read over the past year.
The standout moment came when Shanta Gokhale received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Gokhale’s career as a writer, translator, and theatre critic has left a lasting mark on both Marathi literature and the broader Indian literary world. Bachi Karkaria, the celebrated journalist and longtime friend of Gokhale, presented the honour. It’s recognition that places Gokhale among an exceptional group; she’s the fifth recipient of this award, joining Ruskin Bond, Sudha Murty, Shashi Tharoor, and Amitav Ghosh.
The jury panel selected work that showcases the range and ambition of Indian publishing today. Ruchir Joshi’s Great Eastern Hotel, an expansive 920-page recreation of 1940s Calcutta, won the fiction award. Manu S. Pillai’s Gods, Guns and Missionaries took nonfiction, offering a compelling examination of how modern Hindu identity developed. The jury also recognised Duvvuri Subbarao’s business memoir Just a Mercenary?, Varsha Seshan’s illustrated The Wall Friends Club for children’s literature, and J. Devika’s translation of The Day the Earth Bloomed by Manoj Kuroor from Malayalam.
These selections reflect the depth of storytelling happening across India right now. The winners span history, identity, leadership, children’s education, and regional literature, showing the variety of voices being heard in Indian publishing.
The Popular Choice Awards, determined entirely by readers’ votes, celebrated some of the year’s most beloved books. Prajakta Koli’s debut, Too Good To Be True, won the fiction category, while Thomas Mathew’s portrait of Ratan Tata: A Life took the business and management category. Sudha Murty’s Grandpa’s Bag of Stories won for children’s books, Sadhguru’s Enlightenment took mind, body, and spirit, and Mohar Basu’s Shah Rukh Khan won the biography category. These picks show what readers are connecting with: stories about inspiring figures, family nostalgia, and wisdom that speaks to daily life.
Aakash Gupta, CEO of Crossword Book Stores, highlighted what the awards represent: “We are thrilled by the range and depth of talent recognised this year. The awards stand as a definitive benchmark for literary discovery, celebrating voices that are original, impactful and essential reading.” He noted that these titles will spark conversations and shape perspectives across generations of readers.
Nidhi Gupta, Director of Crossword Bookstores, called the evening a powerful reminder of storytelling’s enduring impact. “These books open windows into worlds we might never otherwise encounter,” she said. “We are honoured to offer a platform where such profound and transformative literary contributions can be recognised, celebrated and shared with readers everywhere.”
The ceremony drew key figures from India’s publishing and literary world, including shortlisted authors and prominent voices in media and writing. The gathering underscored how vibrant and active the Indian literary scene has become.
The Crossword Book Awards have been running since 1998, and they’ve become a trusted marker of quality writing in India. By recognising both established authors and emerging talent across multiple genres, the awards paint a complete picture of what Indian literature looks like right now. Whether it’s historical fiction, translation, biography, or children’s literature, there’s room for all of it.
What makes this year’s awards particularly meaningful is the role they play in keeping literature at the centre of our cultural conversation. In a world increasingly dominated by digital spaces, streaming platforms, and social media, events like the Crossword Book Awards remind us why books still matter and why writers deserve recognition.
Books demand something different from us than a scroll through endless content does. They ask for time, attention, and the willingness to sit with a story or an idea. In a moment when our attention is constantly fragmented across devices and platforms, that’s no small thing. The fact that thousands of readers voted for their favourites in the Popular Choice Awards shows there’s a real appetite out there for the kind of engagement books provide.
For readers looking to explore what’s been celebrated this year, the selections offer something for everyone, from those seeking deeply researched historical narratives to those wanting stories about people who’ve shaped India. It’s a reminder that Indian publishing is thriving with diverse voices and stories that matter.
