The longlist features a diverse range of authors, including both established and emerging writers.

The Longlist: A Celebration of Literary Excellence

The Banaras Lit Fest Book Awards 2025 longlist is a testament to the festival’s dedication to recognizing and celebrating literary excellence. With over 1,100 nominations, the selected works showcase a wide range of genres, styles, and themes.

The Patient in Bed Number 12 by Raj Kamal Jha

The Patient in Bed Number 12 is a thought-provoking novel by Raj Kamal Jha that delves into the complexities of the human psyche. The story revolves around a patient, referred to as “the patient,” who is confined to bed number 12 in a psychiatric hospital. The patient’s identity is unknown, and their past is shrouded in mystery. As the narrative unfolds, the reader is presented with a series of fragmented and disjointed scenes, which serve as a reflection of the patient’s fractured mental state. The novel explores the themes of identity, trauma, and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy. Through the patient’s narrative, Jha sheds light on the inner workings of the human mind, revealing the intricate web of thoughts, emotions, and memories that shape our understanding of ourselves. The novel’s non-linear structure and use of multiple narrative voices add to the sense of disorientation and confusion, mirroring the patient’s disjointed mental state.

Like Being Alive Twice by Dharini Bhaskar

Like Being Alive Twice is a poignant and introspective novel by Dharini Bhaskar that explores the complexities of human relationships and the fragility of life. The story centers around a young woman, Rohini, who is struggling to come to terms with the loss of her mother.

The festival will take place from February 8 to 10, 2025, in Banaras, India.

The Banaras Lit Fest Book Awards 2025: A Celebration of Literary Excellence

The Banaras Lit Fest Book Awards 2025 is a prestigious literary event that recognizes and rewards outstanding literary works in various categories. The festival, which will take place from February 8 to 10, 2025, in Banaras, India, is a celebration of literary excellence and a platform for authors to showcase their talents.

Categories and Eligibility

The Banaras Lit Fest Book Awards 2025 will have several categories, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and children’s literature. The eligibility criteria for the awards are as follows: