The Rise Insight proudly extends heartfelt congratulations to Chetaan Joshiii on his prestigious nomination for the TRI Literary Awards 2026 (Season 04) for his remarkable short story collection, Blind Man’s Buff – Scintillating Short Stories. This nomination stands as a testament to his literary excellence, narrative versatility, and the profound impact his work continues to make across diverse readerships.
A Literary Journey of Sensory Depth and Imagination
Blind Man’s Buff is far more than a compilation of short stories—it is a meticulously crafted sensory experiment. Much like the traditional game from which it draws its name, the book invites readers to step into a space where sight is symbolic, intuition becomes a guide, and emotions reveal themselves in unexpected ways.
Published by Stellar Publishers and spanning nearly 400 pages, this acclaimed collection draws upon Joshiii’s storytelling expertise to transport readers into a realm where conventional genres dissolve. The reader becomes the “blind man,” navigating through the shadows of the human psyche—encountering characters, emotions, and moral questions that linger long after the final page.
One of the most significant recognitions for this book is its translation into Marathi not once, but twice—a rare and distinguished honor.
- The first translation was done by Subhash Joshi,
- And the latest translation by Manjiri Dhamankar.
This dual translation underscores the book’s cultural depth, wide appeal, and literary merit.
Why TRI Chose Blind Man’s Buff for the TRI Literary Awards 2026
The TRI jury selected Blind Man’s Buff for several compelling reasons, each reflective of its outstanding contribution to contemporary Indian literature:
1. A Masterful Amalgamation of Genres
The book fluidly moves across psychological horror, medieval fantasy, contemporary romance, and the uniquely imaginative “Humanimals”—stories that blend human and animal traits to create powerful moral fables. This genre-blending quality is one of the strongest reasons for its nomination.
2. A Distinctive Writing Style Rooted in Visual Storytelling
With his screenwriting background (including work for iconic shows like C.I.D.) and experience in graphic novels (Animal Palette), Joshiii brings vivid imagery, atmospheric tension, and cinematic pacing to the written page. Each story unfolds like a carefully directed sequence, engaging readers through sight, sound, and emotion.
3. Literary Courage and Innovation
TRI recognizes authors who push the boundaries of storytelling. Blind Man’s Buff challenges the predictable, embraces unpredictability, and celebrates narrative experimentation. Its audacity to break rules while maintaining cohesion sets it apart as a groundbreaking work.
4. Endorsement from Global Literary Voices
Receiving praise from eminent linguist David Crystal, who applauded Joshiii for his originality, compelling plots, and storytelling prowess, adds immense credibility and strengthens its case for the award.
5. Cultural Impact Through Translations
The book’s two Marathi translations reflect its relevance and demand beyond its original language. Such recognition plays a vital role in TRI’s evaluation of a book’s long-term literary influence.
About the Author: A Versatile and Visionary Storyteller
Chetaan Joshiii is the author of seven books spanning short stories, tribal novels, a graphic book, a novella, and a self-help fantasy novel.
- His collections Blind Man’s Buff and CockTale Carnival offer readers a literary tour across multiple genres.
- His graphic novel Animal Palette (with Tejas Modak) was shortlisted for Best Book and Best Writer at Comic Con Festival.
- His co-authored book Literally Yours was featured at the Jaipur Literature Festival.
- His tribal novels And Melghat Smiled and Clean Melghat – Dream Melghat were published by the Government of Maharashtra.
- His story also appears in Penguin’s horror anthology The Killer App.
- All his works have been translated into Marathi, expanding his readership across regions.
- His self-help fantasy Twin-Win Situation won multiple national awards and was celebrated at the Pune Book Festival 2024.
Joshiii is also a British Council-certified creative writing mentor, teacher, and founder of The LiTreasure Creative Writing Academy, an initiative aimed at shaping the next generation of Indian authors.
A Well-Deserved Nomination
The Rise Insight and TRI extend their warmest congratulations to Chetaan Joshiii for this well-deserved recognition. Blind Man’s Buff stands as a powerful example of literary innovation, emotional depth, and artistic brilliance—qualities that make it truly award-worthy.
We wish him the very best for the TRI Literary Awards 2026 Season 04.
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