Samanth Subramanian, a deputy editor at the business daily Mint, has won the 2010 Shakti Bhatt First Book prize for his debut book, Following Fish.
There were six books in this year’s shortlist but the three-member jury found Subramanian’s pursuit of fish curry round coastal India “a delightful read, adventurous and unabashedly fun”.
“Subramanian brings us in close contact with people who charm and sometimes dismay, and each encounter seduces us with a new anecdote or a new dish. Comic, and picaresque, with many surprise nettings of wisdom, Following Fish is a sparkling debut by a talented writer,” said the judges.
In its third year, the Shakti Bhatt prize—named after the deceased daughter of the journalist and commentator Sheela Bhatt—is a cash award of Rs one lakh and a trophy. The award function will be held at the British Council, New Delhi, December 10 at 7.30 pm.
Photograph: courtesy Shakti Bhatt foundation
IJR 