After 8 editions celebrating the art of literary translation and the journey of French-language literature into Indian languages, the French Institute in India and its partner Apeejay Trust have decided to conclude the Romain Rolland Book Prize with its 2025 edition.
Over the years, the Prize has brought translators, publishers and readers together around remarkable works of literature, helping to strengthen the literary dialogue between France and India. We are deeply grateful to all those who have contributed to this adventure and helped French voices find new expressions across India’s linguistic landscape.
Building on this legacy, the French Institute in India will now dedicate its efforts to programmes focused on translator’s training, mentoring and support for emerging literary translators, with the aim of nurturing the next generation of professionals and further enriching literary exchanges between our two countries.
As part of its renewed partnership with Apeejay Trust, the French Institute in India has launched a new translation initiative linked to the Goncourt Choice of India in 2026.
Laureates
Title: Une femme
Translator: S.R. Kichenamourty
Author: Annie Ernaux
Indian publisher: Kalachuvadu Publications Pvt. Ltd
Language: Tamil
Title: Divan Staliner (Le Divan de Staline / Stalin’s Couch)
Translator: Pankaj Kumar Chatterjee
Author: Jean-Daniel Baltassat
Indian publisher: New Bharat Sahitya Kutir
Language: Bengali
The 6th edition of the Romain Rolland Book Prize did not have a winner.
Title: Meursault, contre- enquête” (The Meursault Investigation)
Translator: Trinanjan Chakraborty
Author: Kamel Daoud
Indian publisher: Patra Bharati
Language: Bengali
Title: Le mariage de plaisir
Author: Tahar BEN JELLOUN
Indian publisher: Thadagam
Language: Tamil
Translator: S. A. Vengada Soupraya Nayagar
Title: Astérix comics
Author: Albert Uderzo, René Goscinny
Indian publisher: Om books International
Language: Hindi
Translator: Dipa Chaudhuri & Puneet Gupta
Title: La vie d’un homme inconnu
Author: Andrei Makine
Indian publisher: Kalachuvadu Publication
Language: Tamil
Translator: S.R. Kichenamourty
Title: Rue des boutiques obscures
Author: Patrick Modiano
Indian publisher: Rajpal and Sons
Language: Hindi
Translator: Monica Singh
Sponsor
Since its inception, the Romain Rolland Book Prize has been supported and sponsored by Ms. Priti Paul, Director of Oxford Bookstores, through the Apeejay Trust.
About the Apeejay Trust
Apeejay Trust, established in 1974, is the welfare trust of the Apeejay Surrendra Group. At the forefront of the Group’s Sustainability & Social Responsibility Initiatives, the Trust spearheads numerous community interventions aimed at creating a lasting positive impact.
The Apeejay Trust plays a pivotal role in providing financial assistance and essential resources to a wide range of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and institutions engaged in public welfare and charitable projects that bridge gaps and fulfill the needs of underserved communities.
To know more about the social initiatives of Apeejay Group’s welfare trusts, please visit: www.apeejaygroup.com/charitabletrust.html
