Since 2018, the JCB Literature Foundation has awarded a literature prize to an Indian author whose new work of fiction has made a mark in contemporary writing. Last year, Tamil writer Perumal Murugan won it with translator Janani Kannan for Fire Bird. The shortlist and winning entry for this year will be announced in October. The award has a prize money of Rs 25 lakh.

>> A Chronicle of an Hour and a Half: In Saharu Nusaiba Kannanari’s book, Vaiga, situated in the foothills of the Western Ghats, is witnessing one of the worst storms in years, with torrential rain and floods. Amidst that, there’s a rumour of an illicit affair stirring the village into another kind of storm.