Translate Nepal brings out 'Beyond Borders'

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Nov. 7: 'Translate Nepal' has launched an annual publication titled 'Beyond Borders', presenting a curated translation of Nepali literature. The volume, published simultaneously in Nepal and Australia, has brought out a range of works—poetry, short stories, dramas, and essays—from classic and contemporary Nepali authors. 

It is informed that 'Translate Nepal' aims to bring Nepal’s literary voices to the global stage. The organisation is founded in Australia by writer, editor and translator Jayant Sharma. 

"Our goal is to share Nepal’s authentic stories with the world, stories that might otherwise go unheard," said editor Sharma.

He asserted that the first volume of Beyond Borders has showcased significant works from the Nepali literary domain that deserve global attention.

The volume included timeless poems such as 'Pilgrim' by the Great Poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota, 'A Day Once in Era' by Gopal Prasad Rimal,  'My Square' by Bhupi Sherchan, 'Teaching Daughter Read The Map' by Bijay Malla and 'What A Life Is This Life' by Haribhakta Katuwal. 

Likewise, modern voices in the poems such as 'The Hen Must Not Crow' by Kunta Sharma, 'What's There In The Mountains' by Min Bahadur Bista, 'The School Of Revolution' by Avaya Shrestha, 'Rumour In The Fishermen's Village' by Shrawan Mukarung,  'In The Yard Of Revolt' by Pradeep Gyawali, 'The Wind's Language' by Sarita Tiwari, 'The Birth Of Pride' by Sudarshan Shrestha, and 'The Flowers On the Grave' by Saraswai Pratiksha are also featured in the volume.

The volume has also featured short stories by Guru Prasad Mainali, BP Koirala, Poshan Panday, Ramesh Bikal, Parijat, Manu Brazaki, Bhaupanthi, Padmabati Singh, Ramlal Joshi and Bina Thing Tamang.

Similarly, dramas by Bhim Nidhi Tiwari and Ashesh Malla, essays by Baburam Acharya, Hridayachandra Singh Pradhan, Shankar Lamichhane, Bhairav Risal, Pradeep Nepal, Sudha Tripathi and Roshan Sherchan are also included.

All translations are done by editor Sharma himself. "We have tried our best to bring out the representative voices of Nepali literature under one cover," Sharma said.

Nepali literature, with its deep roots and vibrant history, began to flourish in the nineteenth century. Yet, despite its profound beauty and depth, it remains largely unknown in the field of world literature. 

"The volume is an effort to promote Nepali literature globally through translation and marketing," Sharma added. 

According to him, more translated works will be featured in the volumes in future.

The book is available at the main bookstores in Nepal and on Amazon worldwide. The South Asian edition of the book is priced at Rs. 350.