Indian writer bags commonwealth writers’ prize

Singapore-based professor Parashar Kulkarni became the first-ever Indian to have won the Commonwealth Writer's Prize, beating nearly 4,000 entries, and bagged a cash reward of £5,000.

The professor, working with the NUS College's political science department in Singapore, received the award from Booker Prize winner Marlon James at the Calabash International literary event held in Jamaica on June 5.

Kulkarni’s novel ‘Cow and Company’, which won him an award, depicted the story of four people who went in search of a cow for a chewing gum advertisement in India. 

Kulkarni also earned the title to be the first-ever Indian author to have won an award for his unpublished work.

Judging panel head Gillian Slovo said "Parashar Kulkarni in his novel has conjured up a large cast and their ways of life. He succeeded in exploring serious issues in a way that will make one laugh."

Kulkarni said, "I'm happy to have won an award. The competition provides a good opportunity for budding and young writers to participate at an international level."