Aug 18 2024 to Aug 18 2024 11 a.m.

EVENT HAS ENDED

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

Imagine a dawn breaking over tranquil waters, where the melodious voice of a boatman carries across the shore, ferrying both people and stories from one world to another. This is the essence of Bhāshāntara, a unique literary event where words become the vessel that transports us across cultures, emotions, and experiences.

More than just a translation of language, Bhāshāntara—meaning “translation” in several Indian languages—is a journey of ideas that spans hearts and minds, creating connections through the power of literary dialogue.

At Bhāshāntara, you’ll witness dynamic exchanges between writers as they respond to each other’s work in real time, their words echoing like calls across distant lands. This is not a passive experience; it’s an invitation to immerse yourself in a vibrant community of literature lovers. From emerging talents to established wordsmiths, the diverse perspectives on stage promise to spark inspiration and foster understanding across cultural divides.

This edition of Bhāshāntara showcases two remarkable voices in contemporary Kannada literature: Dadapeer Jyman and Rajendra Prasad. These authors, each in their distinct way, cut through conventional narratives with the precision of a scythe through wheat. Their words resonate with singular clarity, offering perspectives that challenge complacency and unveil a kaleidoscope of new possibilities in the literary landscape. Jyman and Prasad engage in an exchange where they respond to each other in poetry – their own and otherwise – extending into a thought-provoking dialogue.

These accomplished writers will respond to each other’s writings and delve into their creative processes, offering attendees a rare glimpse into the craft of contemporary Kannada literature. Their conversation promises to bridge different styles, experiences, and cultural perspectives, embodying the true spirit of Bhāshāntara. Like the boatman’s song at dawn, let the voices of writers carry you across the waters of imagination and connection. This is our renewed attempt at celebrating the human spirit expressed through literature in all its forms as we prepare to embark on a journey that will resonate long after the last word is spoken.

Speakers

Dadapeer Jyman | ದಾದಾಪೀರ್ ಜೈಮನ್‌ Poet, Writer & Translator

Dadapeer Jyman is a Kannada poet, writer, translator and a member of the Queer Poets Collective based in Bangalore. He holds a Master’s degree in Mathematics from Karnataka University, Dharwad. Literature, theatre and cinema are his fields of interest. His poems and short stories have been published in the leading Kannada newspapers and periodicals. His first collection of short stories, Neelakurinji, Vaishnavi Prakashan, 2021, won the 2022 National Sahitya Akademi Young Litterateur Prize for Kannada, the 2021 Masti Venkatesh Iyengar Book Prize, one of the highest awards for Kannada literature, and was among the youngest, at twenty-nine, to receive the prize and the Rajyotsava award from Gulbarga University. The title story of his collection is part of the Gulbarga University syllabus for the BA degree. He wrote a regular column ‘Junction Point’ for Kendasampige, an online magazine for Kannada literature. He recently won the TOTO Awards 2023 for creative writing in Kannada. His translation from English to Kannada, published by Chanda Pustaka in 2021, of Purdah and Polygamy: Life in an Indian Muslim Household by Iqbalunnisa Hussain, originally published in 1944 by Hosali Press, Bangalore, was awarded the Kuvempu Bhasha Bharati Prize that recognises the best translations from any language into Kannada. He has also translated to Kannada, the English translation of the German play ‘Barren Land’ (Brachland) by Swiss playwright, Dmitrij Gawrisch.

Rajendra Prasad | ರಾಜೇಂದ್ರ ಪ್ರಸಾದ್ Poet, Publisher & Editor

ಹುಟ್ಟಿದ್ದು 19 ನೇ ಮಾರ್ಚ್ 1987, ಮಂಡ್ಯ-ತುಮಕೂರು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಗಡಿಭಾಗ ‘ಕೊಡವತ್ತಿ’ ಗ್ರಾಮದಲ್ಲಿ. ಮೈಸೂರು ವಿಶ್ವವಿದ್ಯಾನಿಲಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಎಂಕಾಂ ವ್ಯಾಸಂಗ ಮುಗಿಸಿ ಮಂಡ್ಯ ನಗರದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಣ್ಣ ಉದ್ದಿಮೆ ನಡೆಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯದ ಓದು-ಬರಹ ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿ ಕಾವ್ಯ, ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಸಂಗೀತ, ಇತಿಹಾಸ, ಬೌದ್ಧಮತ ಅಧ್ಯಯನ, ಝೆನ್ ಪೇಂಟಿಂಗ್, ತತ್ವ ಮತ್ತು ಪಾಕಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಆಸಕ್ತರು. ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಪ್ರಾಚೀನ ಅಡುಗೆಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮತ್ತು ಅವುಗಳ ಬೆಳವಣಿಗೆ ಕುರಿತಾಗಿ ಒಂದು ವರ್ಷ ಕಾಲ ವಾರ್ತಾಭಾರತಿ ಪತ್ರಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ‘ಭಿನ್ನ ರುಚಿ’ ಅಂಕಣ ಬರೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ‘ಸಂಕಥನ’ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಪತ್ರಿಕೆಯನ್ನು 2015-2017 ವರೆಗೆ ಪ್ರಕಟಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಅನೇಕ – ಸಂಕಥನ ಹೆಸರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಕಳೆದ ಹತ್ತು-ಹದಿನೈದು ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಂದ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಸಂವಾದ, ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಗಳನ್ನು ನಡೆಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ, ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಅದೇ ಹೆಸರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರತೀ ವರ್ಷ ಹತ್ತಾರು ಪುಸ್ತಕಗಳನ್ನು ಕೂಡ ಪ್ರಕಟಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಇವರ ಪ್ರಕಟಿತ ಕೃತಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಭೂಮಿಗಂಧ, ಒಂದಿಷ್ಟು ಪ್ರೀತಿಗೆ, ಚಂದ್ರನೀರ ಹೂ, ಕೋವಿ ಮತ್ತು ಕೊಳಲು, ಲಾವೋನ ಕನಸು, ಬ್ರೆಕ್ಟ್ ಪರಿಣಾಮ, ನೀರೊಳಗೆ ಮಾಯದ ಜೋಳಿಗೆ, ಪ್ರೀತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರಾಯಶ್ಚಿತ್ತ, ಉಲುಹಿನ‌ ವೃಕ್ಷದ ನೆಳಲು ಮತ್ತು ಹೂ ಬುಟ್ಟಿ ಸೇರಿವೆ. ಇವರಿಗೆ ಬೇಂದ್ರೆ ಗ್ರಂಥ ಬಹುಮಾನ, ಟೋಟೋ ಪುರಸ್ಕಾರ, ಕಡೆಂಗೋಡ್ಲು ಕಾವ್ಯ ಪುರಸ್ಕಾರ, ಪ್ರಜಾವಾಣಿ ದೀಪಾವಳಿ ಕವನ ಸ್ಪರ್ಧೆ ಪ್ರಥಮ ಬಹುಮಾನ, ನರಹಳ್ಳಿ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ ಮತ್ತು DH Change Makers 2020 ನಾಮನಿರ್ದೇಶನ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ಹಲವಾರು ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿಗಳು ದೊರೆತಿವೆ.

Rajendra Prasad was born on 19 March 1987, in Kodavaththi village lying on the border area between Mandya and Tumakuru districts of Karnataka state in southern India. He completed his master’s degree in Commerce from the University of Mysore and now lives in Mandya, running a small business to earn his livelihood. Rajendra is a widely read new-generation Kannada poet who has been writing and studying literature with special emphasis on poetry, Carnatic music, history, Buddhist studies, Zen paintings, philosophy, and culinary art. He is also the editor and publisher of the Kannada literary magazine ‘Sankathana’. His published works include several collections of Kannada poems: “Bhoomigandha” (The Earthly Fragrance, 2006), “Chandra Neera Hoo” (The Lunar Aquatic Blossom, 2013), “Ondishtu Preethige” (2013), “Kovi Mathu Kolalu” (The Gun And The Flute, 2014), “Laavona Kanasu” (Lao’s Dream, 2016), “Brecht Parinama” (Brecht’s Effect, 2018), “Nirolage Mayada Jolige” (2018), “Preethi mattu Prayaschitta” (2020), and “Uluhina Vrukshada Nelalu” (2020). Rajendra has received several awards for his work, including the Bendre Memorial Book Prize in 2014, the TOTO Award in 2016, the Kadengodlu Award for Poetry in 2016, and the Narahalli Literature Award in 2019. He was also nominated for the DH Change Maker award in 2020.