Padma Viswanathan, a Canadian-American writer of Indian origin, has been named among the shortlisted candidates for the International Booker Prize 2026. This recognition comes as a result of her English translation of ‘On Earth As It Is Beneath,’ a novel by Brazilian author Ana Paula Maia. The announcement of the shortlist, which features six titles, was made by a judging panel led by acclaimed author Natasha Brown, who is joined by noted Indian novelist and columnist Nilanjana S. Roy.

About the International Booker Prize

The International Booker Prize, formerly referred to as the Man Booker International Prize, is awarded annually for a work of fiction originally written in a language other than English and subsequently translated into English. This award, which carries a cash prize of £50,000, will be divided equally between the author and translator of the winning work. The winner will be announced at a ceremony scheduled for May 19 at Tate Modern in London. The 2026 prize is generously supported by Bukhman Philanthropies.

Exploration of Historical Contexts in Shortlisted Novels

Three of the novels featured on this year’s shortlist delve into significant eras of world history, including imperial Japan’s influence on Taiwan during the 1930s, the Nazi era in Germany, and the Iranian Revolution of 1979. ‘On Earth As It Is Beneath’ is categorized as a horror novella set in a distant penal colony. The narrative presents a chilling premise where, on the night of each full moon, the warden releases inmates into the wilderness only to hunt them down.

Insights from Padma Viswanathan on Translation

In an interview with the Booker Prize authorities, Viswanathan shared her inspiration for becoming a translator, pinpointing a pivotal moment with Lakshmi Holmstrom’s anthology ‘The Inner Courtyard’ of Indian women’s writing. This collection, which includes both original English works and translations from South Asian languages, highlighted a seamless fluidity between different literary forms. She noted that her interest in translation took root in 1991, six years before renowned author Salman Rushdie referenced the perceived dominance of Indian writers in English compared to those in the 18 recognized languages of India.

Shifting Perspectives on Translation

Viswanathan expressed her initial offense at Rushdie’s claim while acknowledging it could also be seen as a challenge. She emphasized the increasing efforts of translators to bridge the gap in translations from South Asian languages. Although her journey took her to Brazilian literature, she is becoming more active in promoting translations from her Indian heritage.

Diversity Among Shortlisted Authors and Translators

This year’s shortlist for the Booker Prize prominently features female voices, with five out of six authors and four out of six translators being women. Natasha Brown, chair of the judging panel, highlighted that the selected narratives reflect significant historical moments. She noted that while the stories encompass themes of heartbreak, brutality, and isolation, they ultimately convey a sense of energy and resonance.

Additional Titles on the Shortlist

Other notable works on the shortlist include ‘The Nights Are Quiet in Tehran’ by Shida Bazyar, translated from German by Ruth Martin; ‘She Who Remains’ by Rene Karabash, translated from Bulgarian by Izidora Angel; ‘The Director’ by Daniel Kehlmann, translated from German by Ross Benjamin; ‘The Witch’ by Marie NDiaye, translated from French by Jordan Stump; and ‘Taiwan Travelogue’ by Yang Shuang-zi, translated from Mandarin Chinese by Lin King.

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