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Deepti Bubuta has been named the first female winner of the $25,000 Dhahan Prize for Punjabi Literature during a ceremony in Surrey on Nov. 16.
“In Punjabi arts and literary circles, women are often underrepresented,” said Barj Dhahan, founder of the Dhahan Prize in a statement. “We started this award with an open system to consider any new works of fiction in the Punjabi language, from any author of any background. We are proud to say that after 10 years, we are announcing our first female winner, based solely on the quality of work produced.”
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Babuta received the award for her short story collection, Bhukh Eon Sah Laindi Hai (Hunger Breathes Like This).
“Words are my life. But today I am speechless. This achievement is not mine alone. It is of every woman who starts fighting the war of her dreams from home. Then, she fights for opportunities in the world and shows she can succeed,” said Babuta in a statement.
Jameel Ahmad Paul from Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan and Balijit from Mohali, Punjab, India were awarded $10,000 each as the two finalists.
“Every Punjabi writer, whether living in West and East Punjab, or other corners of the world, dreams to have the Dhahan Prize come knocking on their door,” said Balijit in a statement. “As a writer and an ordinary man, I am happy and proud to have my book…be a finalist for this year’s Dhahan Prize.”
The prize was launched in 2013 by the Canada India Education Society (CIES) and the University of British Columbia.
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