A panel discussion entitled “The Prospects of Literary Translation in India” took place on 30^th September 2023 at the Department of Liberal Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Bangalore, to mark the occasion of International Translation Day. The distinguished panel comprised a group of translation experts, Ms. Suchitra Ramachandran, Ms. Priyamvada Ramkumar, and Ms. Padmaja Anant. The event was capably organized and moderated by Ms. Iswarya V, Assistant Professor, DLHS.

The hybrid interactive lecture attracted a diverse audience, primarily composed of BA and MA English Language and Literature students, who had gathered in Room 407 AB-4, while the speakers participated through the Microsoft Teams platform. The event commenced with a warm welcome address by Megna Ashok Kumar, one of the I MA students, followed by a brief presentation of speaker profiles by Avinash Bucha who provided insightful background information on the panelists and their remarkable achievements.

The panelists engaged in a comprehensive discussion elaborating on the myriad challenges and opportunities that prevail in the realm of literary translation in India. They highlighted the complexity of their craft and the vital role it plays in cross-cultural exchange.

Throughout the discussion, the panelists shed light on the essential role played by translators in bringing literary works from diverse Indian languages to a broader readership. They emphasized the translator’s responsibility in conveying both the broad essence and the minute cultural nuances of the original text faithfully.

Conducting this event on International Translation Day underscored the global importance of translation as a means of fostering mutual understanding among cultures and languages. The day also marked the one year anniversary of the Mozhi initiative launched by two of the panelists to promote translations.

Following the panel discussion, an engaging Q&A session unfolded, where the audience posed insightful questions on the translation process, its relationship to diverse literary discourses, visibility of translators and strategies for promoting the readership of translated works. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Megna Ashok Kumar of I MA English Language and Literature.

Overall, there was a sense of optimism about the future of literary translation in India, although the panelists acknowledged that much work remained to be done in taking regional language literatures to the rest of the world. The conversation concluded with panelists and attendees alike expressing their commitment to fostering cross-cultural dialogue through the art of translation.

Outcomes of the event:  

The panel discussion on “The Prospects of Literary Translation in India” provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in the field of literary translation. It highlighted the significance of translation as a bridge between cultures and languages and highlighted the need for continued efforts to promote and support this crucial aspect of literature. Through the insightful discussion, attendees gained a deeper understanding of translation as an art of conveying ideas and not merely words. The panelists also introduced the Mozhi prize and mentioned how they are building a community of translators to make regional literature accessible to a global audience. It left the audience with a deeper appreciation for the art of translation and its pivotal role in cultural exchange. Additionally, the panelists also encouraged the audience to take part in the Mozhi contest for short story translation.