The Hindu : Front Page : Girish Karnad set for role as theatre envoy

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Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008
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Girish Karnad set for role as theatre envoy

Divya Gandhi

Bangalore: Kannada playwright and actor Girish Karnad, elected as a World Theatre Ambassador of UNESCO’s International Theatre Institute, has said the honour reflected the importance of getting good English translations done of works of Indian literature.

“I may write in Kannada but the world only knows me through my English translations. I am an exceptional case in that I translate my own works into English. But Indian literature needs good translations — and translations are particularly important for plays and poetry.” Mr. Karnad told The Hindu.

The International Theatre Institute was founded 60 years ago with UNESCO aid to promote an “international exchange of knowledge and practice in theatre arts [drama, dance, music theatre] in order to consolidate peace and friendship…”

Mr. Karnad, who was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1992 and the Bharatiya Jnanpith in 1999, said translations into English also facilitated the further translation of works into other Indian languages. “In fact, if we are looking for wider audiences we should be looking also at Spanish, French — and, in the near future, Chinese translations of our plays.”

His being chosen “took me by surprise,” Mr. Karnad said. The luminaries who share the honour include American theatre director Ellen Stewart, German modern dance choreographer Pina Bausch, British director Peter Brook and Nobel laureate Dario Fo. Mr. Karnad said: “They are all much too big for me.”

Being among the first group of personalities to have been conferred the honour, Mr. Karnad said his actual role as Theatre Ambassador is still somewhat unclear.

He said: “It would mean participating in international conferences and theatre forums. And it is my hope that being in such eminent company will draw the attention of groups who would want to see and produce plays from the region I represent.”

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