MUMBAI: BBCs audiobook of Vikram Seths novel A Suitable Boy has won two Gold Awards at the 2002 Spoken Words Awards scheme.

It was the only audiobook to win two gold awards, one for drama and the other for best production, states an official release.

Written by Vikram Seth, A Suitable Boy is an epic tale of India during the turbulent period following independence and partition. The audio book was recorded by BBC Audiobooks with an all-Indian cast.

"Audiobooks are a wonderful way of experiencing literary masterpieces. In the UK they are well on their way to the heart of mainstream entertainment and I think the audiobook of Vikram Seths A Suitable Boy may bring spoken word audio to new audiences in India," BBC Worldwide Head of Africa and South Asia, Monisha Shah is quoted as saying in the release.

BBC Audiobooks raked in 16 more awards in all, including the Gold Award for Publisher of the Year. Other BBC titles winning an award were Goon Again, Dinnerladies 2, Elizabeth, The Century Speaks, Ruby in the Smoke, Our Mutual Friend, Dead Ringers: The Specials, The Amber Spyglass, Snail Eggs and Samphire, Les Miserables, Hymn, Artemis Fowl, The Daleks Masterplan and Talking It Over.

The Awards are run by the Spoken Word Publishing Association and are judged by a panel of independent experts, including journalists, producers, writers and retailers.

A Suitable Boy was the second novel by Calcutta-born Seth, who studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University and Stanford University. The novel was widely acclaimed and became an international bestseller.