Hermann Kesten Prize (formerly Hermann Kesten Medal)
1 appearances
-
Edition 34 (2022) Winner
Meena Kandasamy
ミーナ・カンダサミー
Mīna Kandasamī
Pen Names:
Meena（Pen name）
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1984-10-12 （Tamil Nadu）
- Nationality
- India
- Languages
- English, Tamil
- Residence History
- Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Career
- Occupations
- Writer, Poet, Novelist, Translator, Activist
- Active Years
- 2001-2024
- Affiliations
- Royal Society of Literature
- Memberships
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature
- Nominations
- Women's Prize for Fiction shortlist (2018, When I Hit You)
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madras University | — | Arts | B.A. | -2004 | India |
| Madras University | — | Arts | M.A. | -2006 | India |
| Anna University | — | Socio-linguistics | Ph.D. | -2010 | India |
Madras University
Arts
Degree:
B.A.
Period:
-2004
Year of Graduation:
2004
Country:
India
Bachelor of Arts
Madras University
Arts
Degree:
M.A.
Period:
-2006
Year of Graduation:
2006
Country:
India
Master of Arts
Anna University
Socio-linguistics
Degree:
Ph.D.
Period:
-2010
Year of Graduation:
2010
Country:
India
Doctor of Philosophy in Socio-linguistics
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Hermann Kesten Prize | — | — | PEN Centre Germany | 受賞 |
Hermann Kesten Prize
2022
Organization:
PEN Centre Germany
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Touch
2006 PoetryPoetry collection on caste and feminism.
CasteFeminism
Ms. Militancy
2010 PoetryRetells Hindu and Tamil myths through anti-caste and feminist lens.
CasteFeminismMythology
The Gypsy Goddess
2014 NovelNovel about the Kilvenmani massacre.
CasteMassacre
When I Hit You
2017 NovelPortrait of the writer as a young wife.
FeminismDomestic violence
The Orders Were to Rape You
2021 Non-fictionTigresses in the Tamil Eelam Struggle.
Human rightsStruggle
Bibliography
- The Eighth Day of Creation (2005)
- TOUCH (2006)
- #ThisPoemWillProvokeYou & Other Poems (2015)
- We Are Not The Citizens (2018)
- Ms. Militancy (2019)
- Tomorrow Someone Will Arrest You (2023)
- The Gypsy Goddess (2014)
- When I Hit You (2017)
- Exquisite Cadavers (2019)
- Ayyankali: A Dalit leader of Organic Protest (2007)
- The Orders Were To Rape You (2021)
- A Wise One, a Warrior. Objects Talk Back (2025)
Adaptations
- Acting debut in film Ooralppokkam (2014)
Translations by Author
- Talisman: Extreme Emotions of Dalit Liberation (2003)
- Uproot Hindutva (2004)
- Why Were Women Enslaved? (2007)
- Waking is Another Dream (2010)
- Desires Become Demons (2018)
- Thirukkural: The Book of Desire (2023)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Dalit literatureIndian writing in EnglishFeminist literature
- Recurring Motifs
- Caste annihilationFeminismLinguistic identitySocial justice
Legacy
Prominent voice in Dalit literature addressing caste, gender, and human rights.
Trivia
- Started writing poetry at age 17.
- Faced online abuse for supporting beef festival.