Acclaimed Indian author Amitav Ghosh has been honored with the prestigious Dutch Erasmus Prize for his significant contributions to literature addressing climate change and its repercussions on humanity, particularly within the Indian subcontinent. The prize committee remarked that Ghosh has profoundly explored the challenge of adequately representing this existential threat that transcends human comprehension. The Erasmus Prize, which will be conferred by Dutch King Willem-Alexander on Tuesday, recognizes an “exceptional contribution to the humanities, the social sciences, or the arts, in Europe and beyond.” The recipient is awarded a monetary prize of 150,000 euros (approximately $157,000).
The Praemium Erasmianum Foundation, which presents the award, highlighted Ghosh’s articulation of the inextricable connection between climate change and human fate on the Indian subcontinent, referencing his novel “The Hungry Tide,” which illustrates the devastating impact of rising sea levels on the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world. Ghosh’s literary endeavors also encompass political themes, as seen in “The Great Derangement,” which contextualizes climate change within the frameworks of war and trade. The prize committee noted that through his understanding and imaginative approach, Ghosh fosters a sense of hope, which is essential for instigating change. Born in Kolkata, Ghosh has received numerous literary accolades, including the esteemed Jnanpith Award in 2018, recognized as India’s highest literary honor.
