This is the first time i have read a review of a book containing translated version of Tamil stories.
Despite the recent transformation for the better, as you have rightly mentioned, on the usage of Tamil in written style to make it comprehensible widely among all Tamils, it is even today spoken colloquially in different ways depending on the region and caste and even written in their native style within their circles.
I think the modern trend started with writers like Sujata, Sivasankari, Indumati, Pattukottai Prabhakar, Jayakanthan, Pudhumaipithan and many others.
Translating such Tamil stories to English authentically without losing the original's soul, sentiment and idioms is well-nigh impossible. It seems that N Kalyan Raman has done it successfully as is evident from your review impelling the readers to read the stories in English if one cannot savour them in the original.
Let me try to access the original of Farewell, Mahatma by Devi Bharathi in Tamil and also read the book by Kalyan Raman when I return to India.
I read this one when it first came out a few years ago. Some of the stories here are so, so good. Also read the The Solitude of a Shadow recently - the same writer-translator duo. Very good.
I love your reviews, Kalpana, they're as exhilarating as the books they describe.
Thank you for your mail.
This is the first time i have read a review of a book containing translated version of Tamil stories.
Despite the recent transformation for the better, as you have rightly mentioned, on the usage of Tamil in written style to make it comprehensible widely among all Tamils, it is even today spoken colloquially in different ways depending on the region and caste and even written in their native style within their circles.
I think the modern trend started with writers like Sujata, Sivasankari, Indumati, Pattukottai Prabhakar, Jayakanthan, Pudhumaipithan and many others.
Translating such Tamil stories to English authentically without losing the original's soul, sentiment and idioms is well-nigh impossible. It seems that N Kalyan Raman has done it successfully as is evident from your review impelling the readers to read the stories in English if one cannot savour them in the original.
Let me try to access the original of Farewell, Mahatma by Devi Bharathi in Tamil and also read the book by Kalyan Raman when I return to India.
I read this one when it first came out a few years ago. Some of the stories here are so, so good. Also read the The Solitude of a Shadow recently - the same writer-translator duo. Very good.
Thank you, Tanuj! Fine writing indeed:…