Bengal Academics Make History with Prestigious Translation Award
In a landmark achievement for Bengali literary scholarship, two academics from West Bengal, Sipra Mukherjee and Mrinmoy Pramanick, have been awarded the esteemed A K Ramanujan Prize for their English translation of the works of Dalit woman poet Kalyani Thakur Charal. This honor, conferred by the Association for Asian Studies, recognizes their translated volume titled 'I Belong to Nowhere', making them the first Bengalis ever to receive this prestigious accolade.
Academic Profiles of the Award-Winning Translators
Sipra Mukherjee serves as a professor of English at West Bengal State University, bringing her expertise in literature to this collaborative effort. Her colleague, Mrinmoy Pramanick, is an associate professor of comparative literature who recently transitioned from Calcutta University to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi. Their partnership has culminated in a work that bridges cultural and linguistic divides, highlighting marginalized voices in South Asian literature.
Insights into the Award-Winning Anthology
The translated book is an anthology comprising 30 poems, carefully curated from five of Kalyani Thakur Charal's anthologies written over several decades. Charal, who identifies as a humanist, offers a poignant perspective through her poetry. Mrinmoy Pramanick emphasized the significance of their work, stating, "The book highlights a South Asian woman's voice that is found in Bengali language." He further noted that their achievement is rare among Indian recipients, as the award has traditionally been given for translating classical or famous texts, whereas their focus is on contemporary Dalit literature.
Recognition and Gratitude from the Translators
Expressing their pride and appreciation, Mrinmoy Pramanick remarked, "We are among only a few Indians to win this award. Until now, those who received the award mainly got it for translating either classical texts or famous texts from one language to another. Ours is neither a classical text nor a famous one." Sipra Mukherjee added her heartfelt sentiments, saying, "I am delighted and grateful that Kalyani trusted us." This award not only celebrates their translational excellence but also amplifies the voices of Dalit women in global literary discourse.
