Ravi Deecee Honoured with France’s Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres

French Cultural Award for DC Books MD Ravi Deecee for Literary Exchange

A prominent name in Indian publishing, Ravi Deecee , Publisher and Managing Director of DC Books , has been conferred the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres , one of France’s highest cultural honours. The award recognises his sustained contribution to literature, publishing, and the promotion of cross-cultural dialogue between India and France.

Prestigious French Cultural Honour

The distinction was presented by the French Ambassador to India, H.E. Thierry Mathou , at a ceremony held at the Embassy of France in New Delhi on December 4 . The event was attended by leading figures from India’s literary, academic, and cultural communities. Instituted by the French government, the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres honours individuals worldwide who have made outstanding contributions to the arts and literature or have helped promote French culture internationally.

Transforming Malayalam Publishing

Ambassador Mathou highlighted Ravi Deecee’s role in transforming DC Books into one of India’s most influential publishing houses. Under his leadership, DC Books has significantly expanded the scope of Malayalam publishing , particularly through high-quality translations of world literature. This effort has widened intellectual access for regional language readers and strengthened global literary engagement at the grassroots level.

Promoting French Literature in India

DC Books has played a pioneering role in introducing French literature to Malayalam readers. The publisher has brought works of celebrated French and Francophone writers such as Annie Ernaux, Jean-Paul Sartre, Louis-Ferdinand Céline, Emmanuel Carrère, David Diop, Maryse Condé, and Johanna Gustawsson into Indian regional literature. This sustained translation programme has deepened literary ties between India and France.

What to Note for Exams?

• Ordre des Arts et des Lettres was instituted in 1957 by France.

• It has three grades: Chevalier, Officier, and Commandeur .

• Ravi Deecee is MD of DC Books , a leading Malayalam publisher.

• The award recognises contributions to arts, literature, and cultural exchange .

Cultural Diplomacy and Literary Engagement

Beyond publishing, DC Books has fostered international literary dialogue through initiatives such as the Vagamon Writer Residency in Kerala, associated with the French Embassy’s Villa Swagatam programme. Accepting the honour, Ravi Deecee underlined literature’s enduring role in building empathy, imagination, and shared cultural understanding across borders.