Amitav Ghosh, Indian-American Writer, Wins Park Kyung-ni Literary Award

by Seo Miteum

Published 17 Sep.2025 15:19(KST)

Prize Money of 100 Million Won
Award Ceremony on October 23 at Hotel Inter-Burgo Wonju

The 14th Park Kyung-ni Literary Award has been given to the renowned Indian writer Amitav Ghosh.

Amitabh Ghosh, writer. Provided by Toji Cultural Foundation

On September 17, the Park Kyung-ni Literary Award judging panel stated, "Ghosh was selected for expanding the horizons of postcolonial and ecological literature, and for deeply capturing the voices of marginalized subjects, including nature."

The Park Kyung-ni Literary Award was established by the Toji Cultural Foundation in 2011 to honor the late writer Park Kyung-ni. It is awarded to "the most writerly writer of our time, who has preserved the intrinsic value of literature and made a significant impact on world literary history."

Born in Kolkata, India, in 1956, Ghosh made his literary debut in 1986 with the novel "The Circle of Reason." His major works include "The Shadow Lines," "The Calcutta Chromosome," and "The Glass Palace."

In particular, his historical trilogy "The Ibis Trilogy" ("Sea of Poppies," "River of Smoke," "Flood of Fire"), set in the 1830s just before the Opium War, and his nonfiction work "The Great Derangement," which addresses climate change, showcase his broad literary vision.

The Park Kyung-ni Literary Award recommendation committee shortlisted 29 candidates after four rounds of preliminary screening of 113 novelists worldwide over the past year. After in-depth review, the judging panel selected Ghosh as the final candidate, and the Park Kyung-ni Literary Award Committee gave its final approval.

The award ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m. on October 23 at Hotel Inter-Burgo Wonju, where the winner will receive a certificate, a plaque, and prize money of 100 million won.