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Tagore and translations: Why his works hold indomitable influence in literature

Tagore and translations: Why his works hold indomitable influence in literature

Rabindranath Tagore(August 7 is Rabindranath Tagore’s 77th death anniversary)

By Somrita Ghosh,

New Delhi : A progressive writer, visionary, a social thinker, a philosopher, an educationist – Rabindranath Tagore was a polymath. And it is this vastness that fascinated author Radha Chakravarty to take translate Tagore’s writings from Bengali to English.

As of today, Chakravarty is credited with translating eight works of the Nobel Laureate including “Essential Tagore” (with two others), “Gora”, “Boyhood Days”, “Chokher Bali”, “Farewell Song: Shesher Kabita”, “The Land of Cards: Stories, Poems and Plays for Children” and others.

Chakravarty had no formal training in Bengali. Her father had a transferable job which took her to different parts of India apart from West Bengal.

“But Tagore always remained as an influence at our home, no matter where we were. It was my grandfather who used to read out stories of his, that is how I started knowing about him,” Chakravarty, a Professor of Comparative Literature and Translation Studies in Delhi’s Ambedkar University, told IANS.

Chakravarty, the wife of former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, recollected her first encounter with Tagore’s writing was “Sahaj Path”. However, it was “Kabuliwalah” that drew her closer to the writer.

“I couldn’t realise how and when Tagore became a part of my life. I started reading more and more of his writings. What captivated me more was his choice of simple language and clarity in thought and approach,” she said.

But what really made Tagore a part of her life was the emancipation of women in the 19th century that reflected in his writing, which was not so prominent in the works of other writers, Chakravarty explained.

“His characters – be it Binodini of “Chokher Baali” or Labanya of “Sesher Kobita”, all had a distinct identity who tried to break societal norms and stood up for their freedom of expression, they had a question in their mind, they were rebels in their own way,” she noted

However, it was not Tagore that Chakravarty translated first.

“While teaching English literature in Delhi University I was simultaneously doing research work on many other Indian literary figures. I was approached by an upcoming publishing house to do a translation. And the first book happened which was a compilation of the works of 20 contemporary authors,” she said.

“Chokher Bali” was her first translation of a Tagore work and what appealed her to take it up was the enigmatic personality of female protagonist, Binodini.

“The character has multiple layers in her. The book was far ahead of time. The characters challenged the convention and family bounds. This further inspired me to take up his works and translate,” she stated.

Talking about translation, Chakravarty said that it acts as a major medium in strengthening cross-cultural bonds, adding that the scenario in the literary space has changed quite a lot compared to what it was few years ago.

“Now the publishers are welcoming it, which earlier was not there. The publishing houses would never show much eagerness in printing a translated work; it would take quite some effort to convince them, but now it is changing,” she added.

While translations on the one hand take regional literature to the world, Chakravarty highlighted on the several factors that need to be considered before taking up a literary work, particularly maintaining the ethos and values of the original writing.

“The time period of a book matters lot. The book talks about a scenario which existed in 19th or 20th century but the translated work will be read by 21st century readers. Therefore, the language has to be simple which can connect to the contemporary readers,” she explained.

Chakravarty pointed out that a linguistic barrier will always exist when it comes to translating from one language to English or from any other vernacular language, adding that translation is interpretation rather than mechanical transformation.

“Translating certain terms are often difficult like some expressions or words associated with culture or traditions which don’t have any alternative. There is a dilemma on how to put that in English. This is often pretty time-consuming,” she commented.

Although the non-translated words are always defined in summary, Chakravarty added that the certain original words bring in a different flavour to the translation.

“If something is left unexplained it adds mystery and generates curiosity among the readers to know what that particular word would mean. It pushes your imagination and in the process one gets a chance to learn a new word as well,” she said.

(Somrita Ghosh can be contacted at somrita.g@ians.in)

—IANS

Mamata urges German investors to invest in Bengal

Mamata urges German investors to invest in Bengal

mamtasmartMunich: (IANS) Projecting West Bengal as a preferred destination for investment, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday urged German investors to put their trust in her state.

Addressing an interactive session attended by industry representatives from Germany and West Bengal, Banerjee harped on the achievements Bengal had made in the last five years vis-a-vis availability of infrastructural faculties, cheap and skilled manpower and a pro-industry government.

“When you think of India, you think of Bengal, because it is the destination right now. From logistics to economics from industrial growth, to production, what is available in Bengal is matchless,” said Banerjee.

Invoking Subhas Chandra Bose and Rabindranath Tagore to reflect upon Bengal’s ties with Germany, Banerjee described her state as the gateway to the Asian countries.

“Bengal is the gateway to Asian countries like Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Countries like China and Malaysia are not very far off. So, if you invest in Bengal, you get the opportunity to invest in these countries.

“From cheap labour to skilled manpower, from abundance of power to suitable policies on textile, industry and the likes, we have highways and Asian highways connecting neighbouring countries,” she said.

Emphasising the state’s human resource, she said Bengal had talented youth and they were working around the world.

Wooing German investment, she said investors would get a “ready market”.

“If you invest in Bengal, you will not only get the market from Bengal but also market for Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and entire Asean countries as the state is connected with airports, roads and ports.

“If India is growing at 7.3 per cent per annum, West Bengal is growing at 12.2 per cent. Bengal is doing very well in all sectors. Come and invest in Bengal,” said Banerjee.

The Chief Minister invited German investors for the Bengal Global Business Summit to be held in Kolkata in January.

“Within two weeks, we deliver everything from land to other clearances in a single window system.”

Citing examples of Bengal based industrialists who are operating globally, she said: “Our industrialists are working throughout the world through Bengal. The state is led by industrialists. They guide us and advice what to do it and how to do it.”

Requesting investment from auto giant BMW, she said: “Ancillary industries cannot serve the purpose and it can serve it for a year or two. Big units are required.

“If you want land, the state government can give land from our land bank. We are ready with land policy, land bank and land map.”