Presented by Canada India Education Society, in community partnership with Indian Summer Festival

The Dhahan Prize for Punjabi Literature celebrates the rich culture and transnational heritage of Punjabi literature and language. The prize aims to promote the growth of Punjabi language globally, as well as encourage new, emerging, and established writers working in the two Punjabi scripts, Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi.

The 2026 Dhahan Prize Ceremonies will honour three works of Punjabi fiction in both Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi scripts.

Join us for:

• A sit-down, buffet-style dinner gala

• Keynote address by poet Harman Kaur

• A musical performance

• The awarding of a $25K CAD prize for a winning Punjabi book, two finalist prizes of $10K CAD each, plus $6K CAD for the transliteration of winning books

• The awarding of 8 youth awards

• A meet and greet with this year's winning authors, along with business and community members

• The proclaiming of Punjabi Literature week by local governments

• The chance to buy signed copies of winning books, local students' Punjabi stories and more.

Attire: Formal businesswear or formal cultural attire encouraged