Bøker av Surendra Mohanty

I must now share with the audience some of my own experiences of translating Mohanty from Odia to English. It is famously said by eminent American poet Robert Frost that "Poetry is what is lost in translation"-a statement that is a clear indicator of how much difficult it is for the translator to carry the whole essence of the original text into the translated text. Each language is intrinsically embedded with certain cultural values and nuances specific to its own and which are perhaps untranslatable. Certain colloquial expressions, which Mohanty abundantly uses in his writing, are its best example. As a translator of Mohanty's short stories, I have tried my level best to negotiate between two languages and two cultures that are perhaps diametrically opposite to each other. It must be understood however that absolute faithfulness to the original text and the original language is an impossibility. Mohanty, in spite of his greatness and stature as a creative writer in Odia, can at times be accused of unwarranted verbosity though I do understand that a creative writer's creative process has limitless dimensions. Translating wordy sentences and expressions may look a bit challenging, but it is also a pleasurable experience to simplify the clumsiness of certain expressions in the target language, that is English.

Originally written in Odia, Night in the Metropolis and Other Stories is a classic of modern Indian literature. This captivating collection of short stories features an impressive range of the author's content, form, theme, and style. Mohanty skillfully develops his characters through dialogue and narration, finding an appropriate 'objective correlative' to represent human emotion and sensibility. He uses an impressionistic, non-linear narrative technique that does not impose a moral judgment on the reader. Instead, it provides ample opportunities to think, judge, and conclude without relying on authorial comments. Most of the stories in this collection are inspired by youthful enthusiasm and exuberance, seeking to portray the ideals of revolution and freedom imagined in youth. Others are notable for their general suggestiveness, encompassing a broad human vision, gentle intellectuality, and subtle satire.The stories in this book portray the author's personal experiences with life and delve into varied ethical concerns and convictions, evoking a profound sense of justice and humanity. The act of writing also provides a therapeutic release from emotional turmoil. Night in the Metropolis and Other Stories is an artistic expression of Surendra Mohanty's socio-cultural fervour. It effectively expresses his broad perspective on humanity and his fervent revolutionary spirit.

Translating Surendra Mohanty is a unique experience for various reasons. Many literary critics have unanimously agreed that Surendra Mohanty is at his creative best when he pens down his short stories. The most admirable qualities that his short stories possess is that they are not restricted to any particular theme or area; rather, they encompass an extensive variety of subject matters including history, mythology, modernity, the evolving society and the changing individual etc. The varied spectrum of themes, areas and concerns that he introduces in his stories provide him wide recognition, fame and acceptability as a writer amongst the audience. Mohanty seems to have developed a particular interest in Buddhism and its history for which he has penned some of his stories like "Pita Putra" ("Father and Son") and "Mahanirvana" ("The Salvation") and in my estimation, some of Mohanty's finest stories are in fact his stories based on Buddhism and its history.