Abstract:
Since the 2000s, there has been an increased interest among regional authors
and translation scholars in bringing the classics of regional languages into
English. Numerous projects, often in association with universities, have been
launched with the intent of showcasing and positioning local cultures on
the global stage. However, this trend has also unveiled the inherent politics
of translation, raising concerns about the distortion of ancient texts when
presented in a language and cultural context that differs from their origin.
This paper explores the politics and theories of translation by focusing on the
Kannada classics The Life of Harishchandra by Raghavanka (translated by
Prof. Vanamala Vishwanatha) and The Kannada Mahabharata (translated by
S.N. Shridhar and team). These works, translated as part of the monumental
Murty Classical Library of India project, serve as case studies to analyze
how ancient texts are reinterpreted and represented during the translation
process. The study engages with translation theories, including Eugene
Nida’s “dynamic equivalence,” Lawrence Venuti’s “domestication and
foreignization,” and Walter Benjamin’s concept of “the task of the translator,”
to critically evaluate the transformation of these texts. It examines how stylistic
nuances intrinsic to Kannada literature—such as poetic rhythms and cultural
idioms—are often simplified or paraphrased in English translations, leading
to a potential loss of primordial literary essence. By tracing the trajectory of
these texts from their Kannada origins to their English renditions, this paper
interrogates the interplay between visibility, global representation, and the
compromises made in translation. The analysis underscores how the pursuit
of global recognition often sacrifices the richness of local literature, thereby
perpetuating a politics of representation that shapes the reception and legacy
of regional classics.
