Perumal Murugan has achieved a remarkable feat as he has become the first Tamil writer to receive a nomination for the prestigious International Booker Prize. His book "Pookuzhi" has been translated into English under the title "Pyre" and has received this honorable recognition.

The International Booker Prize is a highly esteemed award that celebrates exceptional works of fiction from around the globe, which have been translated into English and published in the UK and Ireland.

Powerful portrayal of caste-based hatred

The International Booker Prize 2023 judges have made a powerful statement about the author, Perumal Murugan, and his book "Pyre," which has been nominated for this esteemed award. The novel recounts the story of an intercaste couple who elope, thereby setting in motion a tale of ominous foreboding. Perumal Murugan's literary prowess as an expert anatomist of power, particularly the insidious rot of caste-based hatred and violence, is on full display in this work. Infused with flashes of fable, the novel speaks to the specific and universal ways in which fear and distrust of others can be highly combustible.

"Pyre" is a love story that is set in the picturesque Tamil Nadu, delving into the arduous journey of an inter-caste couple who must battle against the odds of caste-based discrimination and honor. The book is dedicated to E. Illavarasan, whose lifeless body was discovered on a railway track after he dared to marry a Vanniyar girl in 2013 in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. Through his compelling prose, Perumal Murugan has skillfully conveyed the gravity and complexity of inter-caste relationships in contemporary India, a poignant and timely theme that resonates deeply with readers around the world.

Recognition of diversity of Indian literature

"Pyre" faces stiff competition from 13 other titles from 12 countries, translated into 11 different languages, in the race for the International Booker Prize. It is noteworthy that, apart from Tamil, Bulgarian and Catalan are two other languages that have made it to the nomination list for the first time. Tamil, being one of the oldest Indian languages, has finally received the recognition it deserves by being nominated for the International Booker Prize, formerly known as the Man Booker Prize.

This nomination is particularly significant, coming closely on the heels of last year's win by another Indian novelist, Geetanjali Shree, whose translated novel "Tomb of Sand" (Ret Samadhi) received the coveted award. It is a testament to the remarkable literary talent and diversity of Indian literature that continues to make an indelible mark on the global literary scene.

A self imposed literary silence

In 2015, when Perumal Murugan declared that "Perumal Murugan" was "dead," many struggled to comprehend the metaphor behind the words of this Tamil writer. For those who were familiar with the circumstances surrounding the declaration, it was shocking to witness the extent to which a writer could be bullied and coerced into imposing literary silence on himself.

The writer was subjected to harassment and attacked by right-wing groups who vehemently protested against his novel "Madhorubagan" (One Part Woman). Set in his hometown and the 19th century, the novel tells the story of a childless woman who participates in a sex ritual during a Hindu Chariot festival in the hopes of conceiving. The novel's controversial theme had enraged conservative groups who perceived it as a slur on the Hindu religion and culture.

Perumal Murugan's declaration of his literary death was an act of protest against the extreme intolerance and censorship that had been imposed on him by these groups. His public renunciation of his literary identity was a poignant statement on the stifling of free expression and artistic creativity.

Perumal Murugan's book "Madhorubagan" (One Part Woman), which was published in 2010, sparked protests in 2014 from local groups who claimed that the book had insulted their town and its women. These groups were joined by right-wing organizations who further alleged that the book had insulted their temple and the Hindu festival depicted in the novel.

A great come-back

In 2016, the first bench of Madras High Court dismissed the pleas for a ban on Perumal Murugan's novel "Madhorubagan" (One Part Woman). This ruling was a significant victory for the author and the cause of freedom of expression. It marked the end of a long and difficult period for Perumal Murugan, who had faced intense opposition and harassment from conservative groups for his writing.

Following this ruling, Perumal Murugan was able to return to his work, and his novel "Pookkuzhi" was translated into English by Aniruddhan Vasudevan in 2016. The book was longlisted for the DSC Prize in 2017, which further cemented his reputation as a writer of great talent and literary merit.

In 2017, Perumal Murugan received a much-needed boost to his spirits when his novel "Madhorubhagan" (One Part Woman) was awarded the Sahitya Akademi's Translation Prize.

Illustrious career as a litterateur

Perumal Murugan's literary accomplishments and linguistic prowess are evident in the fact that he holds the position of Head of the Department at a government college in Attur, Tamil Nadu, and has previously taught at the prestigious Presidency College in Chennai. His extensive body of work includes ten novels, five collections of short stories and poems, and ten books of non-fiction.

Prior to "Pookuzhi", seven of his novels had already been translated into English, a testament to the universal appeal of his writing. Born into a Dalit family of small farmers in 1966, Perumal Murugan has long been a passionate and vocal advocate for social justice, with the themes of caste, gender, and poverty featuring prominently in his literary works.

Perumal Murugan is not the only notable Dalit writer in Tamil Nadu, as there are several others who have also written extensively on issues related to caste in their literary works. Meena Kandasamy, P. Sivakami, Sukirtha Rani, and Bama Faustina Soosairaj are just a few examples of other Dalit writers from the state who have made significant contributions to Tamil literature.

Perumal Murugan's nomination for the International Booker Prize is a significant achievement not only for him but also for the broader Tamil literary community, especially for Dalit writers who have been historically marginalized. It is hoped that this recognition will encourage more attention and support for Dalit literature and provide a platform for other deserving writers to showcase their talents.