Date/Time
Date(s) - 17/05/2025 - 18/05/2025
12:00 am
Location
Seminar Hall
Categories
Problems of Translation between Indian Languages:
A Case Study of the Translation of Tulsidasa’s Ramacharitmanas
in the South Indian Languages
17-18 May 2025
Concept Note
In a multilingual country like India, translation is the main means of communication between the different linguistic groups. The ancient spiritual values of India are communicated to the new generation through the translation of spiritual texts like Upanishads, Ramayana, Bhagavat Gita and Bhagavata. The ‘Ramacharitmanas’ of poet Tulsidasa is an artistic translation or transcreation of the ancient Ramayana texts like Valmiki Ramayana and Adhyatma Ramayana. It is the most important cultural text in the Hindi languages. It has attracted many translators of Indian and foreign languages. The South Indian languages have a rich tradition of Ramayana text of their own. But still there are many translators of Tulsidasa’s Ramacharitmanas in the major South Indian languages like Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. In Malayalam itself there are five verse translation of this text.
The proposed seminar is intended to present a critical evaluation of these translated texts in the South Indian languages based on comparative analysis. The ways in which the translators have tried to solve the problems of translation in these texts will be mainly studied. These translations have helped to cross over the linguistic barriers and bring the languages and literature of north and south very close to each other. The problems of translation can be categorised as problem of meaning at word and synax level, literal meaning and suggested meaning. The problems of dhvani or suggested meaning and Rasa and aesthetic recreation can also be studied. The problems of style can be studied as stylo-aesthetic problems of meter, rhythm, sound effects, alliterations, onomatopoeia words, anuprasa, music, etc. The comparative evaluation of these Ramayana texts can be helpful to understand their unique contribution and their reception in the target languages. Such translations are proving to be a strong cultural bridge between the Indian languages.
Call for Papers
A limited number of participants will be invited for the Seminar. Those interested in participating should send (preferably by email) an abstract (500 words) of the proposed paper in English only along with their C.V. (One page) directly to Professor G. Gopinathan, Former Vice-Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Wardha, Email: gopinathan.govindapanicker@gmail.com Mobile: 09747028623 and copy to the Academic Resource Officer, Indian institute of Advanced Study, Shimla on his Email seminar@iias.ac.in Tel: 0177-2831385
The last date for submission of abstract (500 words) is till 31st March 2025 05:00 PM. The Institute intends to send Invitation letters to selected participants by the 15th April, 2025. It is the policy of the Institute to publish the papers not proceedings of the seminars it organizes. Hence, all invited participants will be expected to submit complete papers (in English/Hindi only), hitherto unpublished and original, with citations in place, along with a reference section, to the Convener and copy to the Academic Resource Officer, Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla– 171005 by 30th April, 2025.
The IIAS, Shimla will be glad to extend its hospitality (free hospitality is provided only to the Seminar participant) during the seminar period and is willing to reimburse, if required, rail or air travel expenses from the place of current residence in India, or the port of arrival in India, and back.
Note: Plagiarism is a serious academic offence and the Institute reserves the right to cancel the selection/participation of a candidate found guilty at any stage.
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