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From culture to culture

Translations are more challenging than original creative writing, reveals Jai Ratan Singh in a chat with AMRITA TALWAR

A TRIBUTE Krishna Sobti releasing "Not Flowers of Henna" as the book's translator Jai Ratan Singh (right) looks on

For Jai Ratan Singh, translating literary works from languages such as Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu is a passion. The nonagenarian has not only translated 600 short stories into English but has also penned many original stories . Winner of the Sahitya Akademi Award for Translation, he could easily be one of the most prolific translators in the country. As a tribute to his close friend and great Hindi writer the late Kamleshwar, he has translated into English a collection of 15 short stories "Not Flowers of Henna" published by Katha.

Translation is an art says Jai Ratan, "It is rendering one culture into another. I have been translating stories for the last 40 years, but still each story presents a new challenge. Every language has its own background and it is like mixing two cultures."

Currently he is busy with "Quest for Truth and other Stories" for Oxford University Press, a collection of stories for Jayco Publishing and Kamleshwar's "Kali Aandhi", (The Dark Stormy Night) for Srishti Publishers. He is also authoring a couple of books and enjoys writing when he travels.

Interesting plot

As a founding member of the Writers' Workshop in Kolkata, he recalls that both translating and writing happened by chance. "P. Lal, the editor of Writers' Workshop, suggested that I translate Prem Chand's "Godaan" into English. The book had an interesting plot so the idea appealed to me. I translated the first two chapters and sent them to Jaico Publishers. They liked it and agreed to publish it. After that I never looked back."

He enjoys translating and says that translation is more difficult and laborious than original creative writing. He feels that translation as a literary activity is slowly developing in India but still is considered inferior to creative writing. "How many translators represent India at book fairs and exhibitions? In translation one has to work under the shadow of the original. I as a translator prevent my personality from interfering with the story." Retaining Hindi terms is important for a story. "I never translate words such as ganga jal, saalaa, bhabhi, devar and so on. If you translate bhabhi as sister-in-law then the word loses its essence ."

He provides meanings of the Hindi words in the footnotes .

Out of all the literary figures, Jai Ratan was closest to Kamleshwar. "I translated his Hindi novel "Badnam Gali" as "Defamed Alley" and many short stories too. We had developed a friendship, which lasted for more than 40 years."

Pointing out his favourite story in the anthology, he says, " `The BlueLake' (Neeli Jheel) isclose to my heart. I relate to the protagonist who is a sensitive man and derives pleasure out of appreciating beauty in all things. He is a naturalist at heart and loves watching the birds that come to the blue lake in his village."

A cricket fan, you dare not disturb him while a game is on. "I seldom miss a match," he declares.

AMRITA TALWAR

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