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SURREY, B.C. (August 13, 2025) – The Dhahan Prize for Punjabi Literature announced its 2025 finalists for cumulative awards of $51,000 CAD. The stage is now set for one best book of Punjabi fiction to receive $25,000 CAD in November, along with two finalist awards of $10,000 CAD each.
An additional $6,000 CAD is granted for the transliteration of winning books into Gurmukhi or Shahmukhi.
This year, the Prize received 55 eligible submissions from India, Canada, Pakistan, Australia, USA and the United Kingdom.
The Dhahan Prize is the largest international literary award for fiction books among South Asia’s indigenous languages. It aims to promote new Punjabi literature in both Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi scripts globally.
The 2025 Finalists of the Dhahan Prize for Punjabi Literature are:
Rauleyan Vele (‘In the Time of Unrest’), ਰੌਲਿਆਂ ਵੇਲੇ, رولیاں ویلے
See citation here.
Novel by Balbir Parwana (Jalandhar, Punjab, India), ਨਾਵਲ, ਬਲਬੀਰ ਪਰਵਾਨਾ ਦੁਆਰਾ (ਜਲੰਧਰ, ਪੰਜਾਬ, ਭਾਰਤ)
ناول, بلبیر پروانہ دوارا (جالندھر، پنجاب، بھارت)
Gurmukhi, published by Lokgeet Publications, Mohali-Chandigarh, India, ਗੁਰਮੁਖੀ, ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ਕ: ਲੋਕਗੀਤ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ਨ, ਮੋਹਾਲੀ-ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ, ਭਾਰਤ
گُرمُکھی, پبلشر: لوک گیت پرکاشن، موہالی-چنڈی گڑھ، بھارت
Goyal (‘Precarious Shelter’), ਗੋਇਲ, گوئل
See citation here.
Novel by Mudassar Bashir (Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan), ਨਾਵਲ, ਮੁਦੱਸਰ ਬਸ਼ੀਰ ਦੁਆਰਾ (ਲਹੌਰ, ਪੰਜਾਬ, ਪਾਕਿਸਤਾਨ)
ناول, مدثر بشیر دوارا (لاہور، پنجاب، پاکستان)
Shahmukhi, published by Fiction House, Lahore, Pakistan, ਸ਼ਾਹਮੁਖੀ, ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ਕ: ਫਿਕਸ਼ਨ ਹਾਊਸ, ਲਾਹੌਰ, ਪਾਕਿਸਤਾਨ
پبلشر: فکشن ہاؤس، لاہور، پاکستان
Delivery Man, ਡਿਲੀਵਰੀ ਮੈਨ, ڈلوری مین
See citation here.
Short Stories by Bhagwant Rasulpuri (Jalandhar, Punjab, India), ਕਹਾਣੀ ਸੰਗ੍ਰਹਿ, ਭਗਵੰਤ ਰਸੂਲਪੁਰੀ ਦੁਆਰਾ (ਜਲੰਧਰ, ਪੰਜਾਬ, ਭਾਰਤ)
کہانی سنگریہہ, بھگونت رسول پُری دوارا (جالندھر، پنجاب، بھارت)
Gurmukhi, published by White Crow Publishers, Ranjitgarh Bandra, Mansa, Punjab, India, ਗੁਰਮੁਖੀ, ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ਕ: ਵਾਈਟ ਕਰੋਅ ਪਬਲਿਸ਼ਰਜ਼, ਰਣਜੀਤਗੜ੍ਹ ਬਾਂਦਰਾ, ਮਾਨਸਾ, ਪੰਜਾਬ, ਭਾਰਤ
گُرمُکھی, پبلشر: وائیٹ کروء پبلیشرز، رنجیت گڑھ باندرا، مانسا، پنجاب، بھارت
The three finalists were announced at 11:00 a.m. on August 23, 2025 at Surrey Libraries’ Newton branch.
The winner will be announced at ceremonies on November 13, 2025, at Northview Golf & Country Club in Surrey, B.C.
“Our mission is to celebrate and elevate Punjabi literature on a global stage. By recognizing powerful new tales in Punjabi fiction, we aim to inspire readers, support authors, and strengthen cultural connections across borders,” says Barj S. Dhahan, Primary Founder of the Prize.
Launched in 2013, the Prize has earned worldwide recognition and brought exposure to both emerging and established writers, helping their work reach broader audiences.
Founded in Vancouver, B.C., the Prize reflects the Province’s longstanding connection to Punjabi people, language, and culture. Punjabi is now the third most spoken language in Canada.
This year’s ceremonies will feature award-winning Canadian Punjabi novelist Gurjinder Basran as keynote speaker, along with a musical performance to accompany a buffet banquet.
About The Dhahan Prize for Punjabi Literature:
The Prize is awarded by the Canada India Education Society (CIES) and was created in partnership with the Department of Asian Studies at University of British Columbia (UBC). It is currently funded by Barj and Rita Dhahan along with family and friends. Sponsors of the Prize include Harj & Darshan Grewal of RBC Dominion Securities, G.L. Smith Planning & Design, Tim Hortons and others.
For more information: https://dhahanprize.com/about/
Contact information:
(604) 278-6721
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