The 19th Crossword Book Awards illuminated the vibrant landscape of Indian literature last night, with renowned writer, translator, and theatre critic Shanta Gokhale taking center stage to receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

Held at the LaLit Mumbai on December 3rd, the ceremony celebrated a diverse range of voices, affirming the awards’ status as a key benchmark for literary excellence and discovery in India.

A Tribute to a Titan

Shanta Gokhale, a literary powerhouse whose critical and creative work has profoundly enriched Marathi and Indian literature, was bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Veteran journalist and close friend Bachi Karkaria presented the honour, which positions Gokhale as only the fifth recipient of this esteemed award, joining the ranks of literary icons like Ruskin Bond, Sudha Murty, Shashi Tharoor, and Amitav Ghosh.

Jury Selects Ambition and Diversity

This year’s Jury Awards highlighted the depth and ambition of contemporary Indian storytelling. The panel, which included esteemed figures such as Vaishna Roy and Poonam Saxena, recognized works that spanned historical recreation, social commentary, and notable translations.

The Fiction Jury Award went to Ruchir Joshi for Great Eastern Hotel, a sprawling, 920-page epic recreating 1940s Calcutta. In Non-fiction, Manu S. Pillai was recognized for Gods, Guns and Missionaries: The Making of the Modern Hindu Identity, a powerful examination of the evolution of identity. Other jury winners included Duvvuri Subbarao for Just a Mercenary? (Business and Management) and the critically acclaimed translation of Manoj Kuroor’s The Day the Earth Bloomed by J. Devika.

Readers Vote for Blockbusters and Biographies

The Popular Choice Awards, determined exclusively by public votes, showcased the books that resonated most deeply with readers this year. The list featured star power and compelling narrative across categories:

• Sudha Murty charmed readers once again, winning the Children’s Books category for Grandpa’s Bag of Stories.
• The Fiction award went to YouTube star Prajakta Koli for her candid coming-of-age debut, Too Good To Be True.
• Biographical works captured significant attention, with Thomas Mathew’s insightful Ratan Tata: A Life winning in Business & Management, and Mohar Basu’s authorized biography of Shah Rukh Khan taking the Non-Fiction prize.
• Sadhguru’s contemplative title, Enlightenment, won the Mind, Body, & Spirit category.

An Essential Guide to Reading

The ceremony saw a convergence of the Indian publishing ecosystem, with shortlisted authors like Prahalad Kakkar and Anand Neelkatan, and industry figures like Anupama Chopra in attendance.

With the announcement of its 2025 recipients, the Crossword Book Awards has successfully delivered the definitive guide to the year’s most impactful Indian titles, encouraging readers everywhere to explore these exceptional literary contributions.