Valley of Words 2025: REC-VoW Book Award Winners Announced in Dehradun

Dehradun, September 12, 2025 – The literary world is abuzz as Valley of Words (VoW), India’s prestigious not-for-profit literature and arts festival, has officially announced the winners of the 2025 REC-VoW Book Awards. Recognising excellence in English, Hindi, and Children’s & Young Adult literature, this year’s edition brings together eight remarkable authors and translators who have made a mark with their powerful narratives and creative brilliance.

The winners will be celebrated at the grand finale of VoW’s ninth edition, to be held on October 25–26, 2025, at Hotel Madhuban, Dehradun. Each award carries a citation and a cash prize of INR 1 lakh, making it one of the most anticipated literary recognitions in India.

With more than 600 nominations from 75 publishing houses across the country, the awards have once again highlighted the depth and diversity of India’s literary ecosystem. The final selections were carefully evaluated by a distinguished jury comprising last year’s award-winning authors and translators, ensuring credibility and literary excellence.

Director’s Note: Literature as a Mirror of Society

Festival Director Dr. Sanjeev Chopra emphasized the significance of this year’s winners, noting how their works resonate with contemporary issues.

“What distinguishes this year’s winners is the range of voices and the themes they take on — from questions of identity and social change to the reinterpretation of cultural memory. The personal is the political, as these works underscore. Together, they reflect the evolving landscape of Indian publishing and the appetite among readers for stories that are both rooted and contemporary.”

Winners of the 2025 REC-VoW Book Awards

This year’s winning titles showcase an extraordinary spectrum of creativity, spanning fiction, non-fiction, translations, and children’s writing:

1. Ananda: An Exploration of Cannabis in India — Author: Karan Madhok | Publisher: Aleph | City: Mussoorie

2. Swallowing the Sun — Author: Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri | Publisher: Aleph | City: Delhi

3. Lavanyadevi — Translator: Banibrata Mahanta (Original Author in Hindi: Kusum Khemani) | Publisher: Orient BlackSwan | City: Varanasi

4. Bidaai De Ma! — Author: Sudhir Vidhyarthi | Publisher: Rajpal | City: Bareilly

5. Suno Kabir — Author: Soni Pandey | Publisher: Lokbharti | City: Noida

6. Bahattar Meel — Translator: Sulabha Kore (Original Author in Marathi: Ashok Vatkar) | Publisher: Radhakrishna | City: Mumbai

7. art is a voice — Author: Kripa | Publisher: ArtsIntegrated | City: Mumbai

8. Cactus Wants a Hug — Author: Neil Flory | Publisher: Hachette | City: Goa

These works not only celebrate literary diversity but also underline the growing importance of translations, children’s literature, and young adult writing in India’s publishing landscape.

The Spirit of Valley of Words

Since its inception in 2017, Valley of Words has grown into a pan-Indian platform for literature and the arts, bringing together writers, translators, publishers, critics, artists, and readers. The festival is organised by The Valley of Words Foundation Trust, a not-for-profit, volunteer-driven initiative based in Dehradun.

The festival is unique for its curated conversations, multi-disciplinary panels, and intergenerational dialogue, ensuring that it appeals to readers, thinkers, and creators across all age groups. Apart from the prestigious VoW Book Awards, the festival also runs year-round programs aimed at fostering cultural exchange and critical engagement with literature and the arts.

Looking Ahead: Dehradun to Host Literary Grandeur in October

The 2025 edition of the Valley of Words festival promises to be a celebration of creativity, thought, and storytelling. Scheduled for October 25–26, 2025, at Hotel Madhuban, Dehradun, the event will feature panel discussions, book launches, author meet-ups, and award ceremonies. With the spotlight on the REC-VoW Book Awards winners, the festival is expected to draw writers, publishers, readers, and literature enthusiasts from across India and abroad.

The VoW platform continues to reaffirm its mission — to make literature an accessible, engaging, and thought-provoking space for everyone. As Dr. Chopra noted, the 2025 winners are not just authors but also voices that shape society’s dialogue with itself.

Conclusion

The announcement of the 2025 REC-VoW Book Awards marks another milestone for Valley of Words, cementing its reputation as one of India’s most significant literary festivals. With works that challenge, inspire, and entertain, this year’s winners embody the vibrancy of Indian publishing and the universal power of storytelling.

As the festival approaches in October, all eyes are on Dehradun — where literature will once again take centre stage, reminding us that words have the power to transform both individuals and societies.