Second edition of Big Little Book Award to honour Bengali authors of children’s literature

Parag is an initiative of Tata Trusts, and Tata Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest 2017.

In its second year, the Big Little Book Award considered children’s literature in the Bengali language.

"Tata Trusts’ Parag is a decade old initiative that promotes the joy of reading among children. Recognising authors and illustrators whose work engages children is important in order to recognise their contribution and create awareness on role and importance of children's literature.  This is why we conceived the Big Little Book Awards. This year, the Big Little Book Award confers this recognition to authors writing in Bangla. We hope the award will contribute in encouraging children's authors and publishers in regional languages,” said Amrita Patwardhan, Head-Education at Tata Trusts.

Nabaneeta Dev Sen has been writing for children since 1979. She is renowned as a feminist author and has also written widely for adults.

She has been the recipient of various prestigious awards such as the Sahitya Academy Award and the Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad Award, as well as the Padma Shree.

She has written books spanning across several genres – novels, travelogues, short stories and plays.

Her stories explore a wide range of human emotions, and often have strong female central characters.

A prolific writer of contemporary literature in Bengal, Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay has engaged readers across generations. He has written extensively both for children and for adults.

Many of his books have been adapted for the big screen by acclaimed directors.

He is the recipient of several awards such as the Sahitya Academy Award, Ananda Puroshkar.

His Monojder Adbhut Bari, Goshaibaganer Bhoot and Patalghar are treasured by young and old alike.

He is presently associated with the magazine, Desh.

Amarendra Chakravorty is a poet, writer and travel-filmmaker who is also the founder-editor of the travel magazine Bhraman.

He has written a number of books for children. His books Amazoner Jongole, Hiru Dakat and Shada Ghora are well known. Many of his books have been translated into regional as well as foreign languages.

His book Gorillar Chokh won the Bal Sahitya Purashkar of the Sahitya Academy.

Kartik Ghosh, who has worked for editorial teams of various Bengali newspapers and magazines, has written short stories, novels, fairy-tales, poems, etc.

He has received several accolades, including the National Award for Children’s literature for his book Ekta Meye Eka.

His books Juifuler Rumal, Cholo Chiriakhana, Shei Chheleta and Pyakatir Nouka are especially popular. Nature plays key role in most of his works, which is reminiscent of his upbringing amidst nature.

The Big Little Book Awards honours both authors and illustrators whose body of work connects with children, gives them joy, encourages them to think, introduces them to new ideas and cultures, is inclusive, and balances the traditional with the contemporary.

“Bengali children’s Literature has a rich heritage. The nomination process demonstrated that the tradition continues to thrive. With an aim to creating a platform for young readers, parents, schools, publishers, and other stakeholders, Parag will associate with various partners to promote the work of these authors and illustrators,” said Swaha Sahoo, Head-Parag Initiative, Tata Trusts.

The nominations were sought from publishers, librarians and academicians.

“The Big Little Book Award is significant and different because it does not award writing in any one language. It is a bridge across languages in India and thus ensures each language is recognised nationally. Bengali has awards at the regional level but this recognition, especially for children's authors comes at a time when a push is needed to the rich, but now stagnating, Bengali children's literature.”, said Gargi Gangopadhyay, jury member.

The awards will be conferred on Nov 19, 2017.