In a heartwarming tale that mirrors the charm of his favourite author's stories, a young man from Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, is on a dedicated mission. Tirupati Kiran, through his small publishing house Kathaaprapancham Books, is ensuring that the literary magic of Ruskin Bond reaches the current generation by translating his works into Indian languages like Kannada, Telugu, and Tamil.
From Avid Reader to Literary Champion
Kiran's journey began in childhood, fueled by an insatiable love for reading. He would sneak into his school library, drawn to picture books and comics like Chandamama and Balamitra even before he could read fluently. The library's collection, which also included works by R.K. Narayan and Leo Tolstoy, was his sanctuary. At home, his grandmother's bedtime tales and his father's book-centric pocket money further nurtured this passion. By the time he was in grade 6, he had published his first story in Balamitra magazine.
This deep-rooted connection to stories now drives his professional endeavours. Since 2017, Kiran has been conducting storytelling sessions in both government and private schools across Tirupati, sharing his love for books. He has an ambitious plan to amplify this effort: "I am planning to set up a van—a mobile library of sorts—to take books to streets and alleys of India. Efforts are underway to make this happen," he reveals.
Bridging Languages with Kathaaprapancham Books
At the core of Kiran's mission is translation. He is currently working on translating 60 books from English into various Indian languages. Upcoming Telugu titles include Ruskin Bond's The Hoopoe on the Lawn, Song of the Forest, and The Hill of Enchantment, alongside works by authors like Anees Salim.
"I have always been fond of translations. Many people may not be familiar with the English language... and therefore might miss out on reading excellent stories. Translations help bridge that gap," Kiran explains. He has secured translation rights and permissions from several major publishing houses to facilitate this work. Beyond Bond, he aims to create a platform for new authors and promote local literature on digital platforms.
A Special Bond with Ruskin Bond
Kiran's fascination with Ruskin Bond is personal. They share the same birthday—19 May. While he cherishes all of Bond's books, Adventures of Rusty holds a special place as his first. He saw his own curious and adventurous spirit reflected in the protagonist, Rusty, and connected with the author's love for nature.
Noticing that many children in Tirupati were unfamiliar with Bond's work due to a lack of translations, Kiran decided to act. In June, as part of a children's book festival, he organised a Ruskin Bond Book Exhibition. The response was overwhelming, with several schools requesting permanent Ruskin Bond book libraries.
The pinnacle of recognition came when Bond's family learned of his efforts and sent a video message from the author himself. "Watching that video brought tears of joy to my eyes. I never imagined that Ruskin Bond would personally acknowledge my efforts," says an emotional Kiran. His work has also gained the support of the Ruskin Bond Foundation.
Tirupati Kiran's story is a testament to how a childhood passion, when pursued with dedication, can transform into a meaningful movement that enriches India's literary landscape for generations to come.
