JCB Prize for Literature 2020: Malayalam author S Hareesh's Moustache, wins the award

The winner of the 2020 JCB Prize for Literature was announced on 7 November with author S Hareesh and translator Jayasree Kalathil taking home the literary honour for the work "Moustache" ( Meesha).

While Hareesh will be awarded a winner's purse of Rs 25 lakh for his novel, Kalathil will also receive Rs 10 lakh for her translation of the Malayalam book into English.

Moustache revolves around Vavachan, a Pulayan or a lower caste man who gets the opportunity to play the role of a policeman only to earn the ire and fright of the upper castes for sporting the frightening, titular, mustache. What unfolds is a poignant narrative of caste conflict and prejudice all encompassed in this magic moustache.