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'Without translation promotion of Bangla literature is impossible'
Hasan Azizul Haque is perhaps the most revered short story writer in contemporary Bangla literature. Very few of his stories have been translated and anthologized now and then. They, however, have fallen short of attracting an international audience. On the first day of Dhaka Hay, his first collection of translated short stories will be launched. Bengal Lights Publication has brought out the collection. In this interview, he talks about this collection and the importance of transla-
Rifat Munim: How do you feel about this collection being launched at Hay?
Hasan Azizul Haque: Initially I'm very happy that Bengal Lights Publication has brought out this collection which contains many of my important stories.
My stories and novellas have been translated at least by four or five translators and in four languages i.e. Czech, Japanese, German and English. Kalpana Bardhan, a teacher at University of Chicago, translated four of my stories in English, which were really very good. From Bangladesh, five or six long stories were translated by Ali Anwar, published by Bangla Academy. But, it has remained a stillborn baby. William Radice also translated one of my stories which was not published and I also haven't seen it.
RM: Do you think this collection will make a difference in introducing you to an international readership?
HAH: Well, the book will be launched during Hay which will bring many foreign publishers and authors here in Bangladesh. So they will have ample opportunities to know about our literature. I think not only this book but all the books which will be launched during Hay, given they are good writing, will be able to attract an international readership.
RM: Do you think a lot more effort should be put in translating Bangla literature?
HAH: Of course. It goes without saying. Without translation promotion of Bangla literature is impossible.
I've said it many times that at least six or seven of those who have contributed to what is Bangla literature today are worthy of winning the Nobel prize in literature. And if you take the entire Bangla as a whole, the east as well as the west, then another six or seven should added to the list. It is our misfortune that Manik Bandyopadhyay, Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, Tarashankar Bandyopadhyay were not awarded this prize. Lack of good translation is the reason behind this.
Nobody is interested in translating Bangla literature. Only half of Pother Panchali was translated, then no one simply cared to do so. Putul Nacher Itikotha was also translated but it too failed to attract any attention from the outside world. To speak to you frankly, I myself haven't seen it. I firmly believe that it is essential for our literature to be recognized worldwide because it has all the potentials that a national literature should have. I also believe that Bangla is not only one of the main languages of the world, it is also one of the best. But, unfortunately, since we could not establish colonies all over the world to make people from other countries dependant on us, nobodycares about our literature!
RM: Do you think marketing, distribution and circulation play an important role in making translated books accessible to foreign readers and publishers?
HAH: Definitely. What we need is to reach acclaimed foreign publishers such as Penguin. I believe an initiative like Dhaka Hay will bring about that opportunity.