Neelum Saran Gour won the 2023 Sahitya Akademi Award in English for Requiem in Raga Janki, which the official award list categorizes as a novel. The Sahitya Akademi Executive Board approved the awards on 20 December 2023, selecting 24 books across 24 languages.
Who won the 2023 Sahitya Akademi Award in English?
The Sahitya Akademi named Neelum Saran Gour the English-language award winner for Requiem in Raga Janki. The official award list identifies the author, title and category. The Akademi’s 2023–2024 annual report says its Executive Board approved 24 books in 24 languages on 20 December 2023, following recommendations from three-member language juries. The juries selected works unanimously or by majority vote.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Requiem in Raga Janki | $16.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Requiem in Full Score | $17.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Requiem in C minor: Vocal score (Latin Edition) | $16.79 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Requiem (Latin Edition) | $8.99 | Buy on Amazon |
What did the award recognize?
The award recognized Gour’s novel, not a documentary or a factual biography. The annual report states that the eligible books were first published between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2021. That eligibility window is distinct from the publication date of a later edition: Penguin Random House India lists the paperback edition as published in April 2024, but that listing does not establish when the novel was first published.
What is Requiem in Raga Janki about?
Penguin Random House India describes the novel as based on the real-life story of Hindustani singer Janki Bai Ilahabadi (1880–1934). Its synopsis sets the story in early twentieth-century Allahabad and traces Janki Bai’s rise from a nautch house to prominence amid the worlds of classical music and the gramophone. The Akademi’s annual report describes the work as addressing the life of an iconic but forgotten figure in Allahabad’s history.
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Because it is a novel based on a historical singer, it should not be treated as a factual account of Janki Bai’s life. The publisher’s description is the source for the book’s narrative framing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which editions of Requiem in Raga Janki are available?
Penguin Random House India lists paperback, hardback, ebook and audio options. Its listing gives these print and audio details:
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| Format | Publisher-listed details |
|---|---|
| Paperback | ISBN 9780143467342; 368 pages; listed as published April 2024. |
| Hardback | ISBN 9780670091140; other edition details not stated on the cited listing. |
| Audio | ISBN 9789357086776; listed as published December 2024; runtime 667 minutes. |
| Ebook | Buying options are shown; an ISBN and edition details are not stated here. |
These details come from the Penguin Random House India book page. It lists Amazon among retailer options, but retailer stock, price and availability can vary by territory and change over time. Check the current retailer listing for the edition you want.
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