The Swapna Dev Memorial Book Prize in Folklore & Mythology was established in 2007 according to the wishes of her husband, and supported by his generous gift. The prize honors the interest that Swapna Dev had in the field and her connection to the Harvard Committee on Degrees in Folklore & Mythology, where she was a visiting scholar from 1983 to 1985, under head tutor Prof. Hugh Flick.

The Book Prize will be awarded annually to the graduating senior whose thesis receives the highest marks from its readers. (Winners will be listed below.)

Brief bio of Swapna Dev [1949-2001]

After getting her B.A. and M.A. in English from Delhi University, Swapna taught for many years at the Jesus & Mary College, one of the leading colleges of the university. She was a visiting scholar in Folklore & Mythology at Harvard University from 1983 to 1985. At Harvard, Swapna worked on the metaphysical symbolism of Buddhist Stupas. Swapna and her family settled in San Diego, California, in 1988, and she became a freelance writer. She is survived by her husband and three daughters.

Winners of the Swapna Dev Memorial Book Prize

2008:

"Gregory the Great and the Myth of the Gregorian Chant"

- Jhoshua W. Friedman

2007:

"The Gaelic Waulking Songs of Mairi nighean Alasdair: A Preliminary Translation and Classification With a Discussion of Voice and Gender"

- Margaret Harrison