Selection
Reading in public
Readers form the longlist, publish responses and make the reasons for the final choice visible.
Read the process →The award given by readers
Living Tamil Award for World Literature
A USD 100,000 international literary prize created, judged and funded entirely by literary readers.
The award
A prize with a reading movement behind it
The Living Tamil Award for World Literature, established in 2026, carries a purse of USD 100,000, approximately £75,000. Readers across countries contribute from their own savings to make it possible. Readers from the same global community study the nominated writers, publish their discussions and choose the recipient through juries representing that community.
The award brings the aesthetic vision formed through modern Tamil literature into conversation with writing in every language. It does not borrow its judgement from an institution. It explains what it values, reads in public and stands behind its choice.
Award information
Read the criteria and selection process
The Living Tamil site sets out the literary principles, eligibility rules and reader-led selection process in full.
Judging
From the reader community
Judges are chosen from the worldwide community whose reading has shaped the award’s literary values.
Read the criteria →Announcements
Press room
Official award announcements will be maintained with the festival’s press releases.
Open press room →