A two-day national seminar on the challenges of translation between Indian languages was inaugurated today by Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla. The theme of the seminar is: “Problems of Translation between Indian Languages: A Case Study of the Translation of Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas in South Indian Languages.”
In his inaugural address, the Governor emphasized the importance of adopting a common script—Devanagari—to enhance mutual linguistic understanding, stating that it could significantly simplify communication across Indian languages. He praised India’s rich multilingual heritage and said that the essence of unity in diversity defines the country’s cultural strength.
Describing Ramcharitmanas as the cultural cornerstone of North India, the Governor called it “a work rich in sound and emotion, whose translation is not merely a linguistic task but a cultural rebirth.” He noted that while languages like Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam already have strong Ramayana traditions, Ramcharitmanas has still left a lasting impact in southern India.
He highlighted the challenges of translating the epic from Awadhi, the original language of Ramcharitmanas, which differs significantly from standard Hindi. He emphasized that translations play a critical role in preserving and transmitting India’s spiritual heritage to future generations.
On this occasion, the Governor also unveiled a statue of Swami Vivekananda at the institute and released a book titled “Hanumat Kavya Tradition in Indian Languages” authored by Prof. Harimohan Budholiya.
The event was also addressed by Prof. Shashiprabha Kumar, Chairperson of the IIAS Governing Body, who highlighted that while literary interpretations of Ramcharitmanas vary across languages, the core message of Indian culture remains universal. “Lord Rama is a symbol of emotional unity,” she said.
Mahamandaleshwar Swami Yatindranand Giri Ji of Jeevan Deep Ashram, Haridwar, spoke about the divine inspiration behind Ramcharitmanas, created during times when the legacy of Lord Rama was under threat. He urged everyone to preserve India’s sacred texts and stressed that Indian philosophy teaches us to become good human beings first.
Prof. Surya Prasad Dixit, former professor at Lucknow University and keynote speaker, traced the presence of Ramkatha in ancient texts and global traditions, arguing that its origins are not limited to a single source.
Prof. G. Gopinathan, former Vice Chancellor of the Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University, Wardha, reflected on the cultural and comparative literary value of the seminar’s theme and the importance of translation in ensuring cultural continuity.
Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, Director of IIAS and Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, presented an overview of the seminar’s objectives.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by IIAS Secretary Mehr Chand Negi. Secretary to the Governor C.P. Verma, IIAS fellows, and scholars from across the country were also present.
