The Department of English Language and Literature, School of Liberal Arts and Culture Studies, Adamas University, in collaboration with The Centre for Translation of Indian Literatures (CENTIL), Jadavpur University, organized a workshop on Bengali to English Translation of Dalit Poetry. The event began with a welcome note from the conveners and collaborators, setting the tone for an enriching experience.
Dr. Sayantan Dasgupta shared his insights into the art and challenges of translation, emphasizing its significance. Prof. Kunal Chattopadhyay further expanded on the political dimensions of literature and the crucial role of translation.
Participants were given copies of selected poems and divided into teams, engaging in collaborative translation under mentor guidance. Students, research scholars, and mentors from various disciplines brought diverse perspectives to the workshop.
On the final day, teams refined their drafts and prepared questions for the poet, Ms. Kalyani Thakur Charal. With assistance from mentors and faculty, the translation process progressed meaningfully. After a felicitation ceremony, Ms. Thakur Charal shared her journey as a poet, explored themes in her poetry, and explained key symbols and contexts. A lively interaction followed, with participants asking questions and sharing their translation experiences.
With her approval, select translations were read aloud, celebrating the participants’ efforts. The workshop concluded with certificate distribution and a vote of thanks from the organizers.
This collaborative and thought-provoking workshop highlighted the transformative potential of translation and fostered deeper engagement with Dalit literature.
