From Transregional to Global Space: Translating Dalit Autobiography and Bridging the Boundaries.

What is it about?

The study analyzes two Bengali Dalit autobiographies in both original and translated versions. One is Itibritte Chandal Jiban (2012) by Manoranjan Byapari (trans. Interrogating My Chandal Life: An Autobiography of a Dalit in 2018), and the other is Amar Bhubane Ami Benche Thaki (2013) by Manohar Mouli Biswas (trans. Surviving in My World: Growing Up Dalit in Bengal in 2015).

Featured Image

Why is it important?

The present research brings forward some standpoints. First, the translation of Dalit autobiographies creates transnational solidarity. Second, the translators play the role of gatekeepers to show that translation sustains the literary and cultural essence ingrained within the texts and initiates and engages dialogic discussions among the audience and readers on the global platform. Third, the translation of Dalit autobiographies arrests the attention of those global readers who barely nurture any idea on caste, class, and casteist politics and deeprooted issues like untouchability in India and constructs a distinct literary geography.