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Amitav GhoshContemporary Indian writer
Date of Birth: 11.07.1956
Country:  India |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Literary Career
- Academic and Literary Recognition
- Personal Life and Awards
- Sahitya Akademi Award (1989)
Early Life and Education
Amitav Ghosh was born in Calcutta, India on July 11, 1956. His father was a military officer, which resulted in a nomadic childhood for the young author. Ghosh's early experiences in countries such as Sri Lanka, Iran, and Bangladesh would significantly shape his literary worldview.
In 1976, Ghosh completed his Bachelor's degree in History from St. Stephen's College. He then pursued a Master's degree in Sociology from Delhi University in 1978. Driven by intellectual curiosity, Ghosh furthered his studies at Oxford University, where he earned a Doctorate in Social Anthropology in 1982. His doctoral thesis explored kinship in relation to the economic and social organization of an Egyptian village community.
Literary Career
After completing his doctorate, Ghosh embarked on his literary career. His debut novel, "The Circle of Reason" (1986), won the prestigious French Médicis Prize for Best Foreign Novel. This early success set the tone for a remarkable writing journey. Ghosh's subsequent novels, including "The Shadow Lines" (1988), "The Calcutta Chromosome" (1995), "The Glass Palace" (2000), "The Hungry Tide" (2004), and "Sea of Poppies" (2008), have earned widespread critical acclaim and numerous literary accolades.
Academic and Literary Recognition
In addition to his novels, Ghosh has published non-fiction works, essays, and articles in magazines and newspapers. Notably, his essay "The March of the Novel through History" (1999) received the prestigious American Pushcart Prize. Ghosh has also served on juries for several international film festivals.
As a Professor, Ghosh taught at various institutions in India and the United States, including Delhi University, The City University of New York, Columbia University, and Harvard University. He held numerous prestigious academic positions during his tenure at these esteemed institutions.
Personal Life and Awards
Ghosh is married to Deborah Baker, a writer and Senior Editor at Little, Brown and Company in New York. The couple has two daughters, Lila and Nayan. Over the course of his career, Ghosh has received numerous literary awards, including:
Sahitya Akademi Award (1989)
Arthur C. Clarke Award (1997)Pushcart Prize (1999)
Frankfurt International e-Book Award (2001)
Vodafone Crossword Book Award (2006)
Hutch-Crossword Book Award (2009)
