At the Kerala Literature Festival, a thought-provoking panel discussion titled ‘Lokasahithyathil Nammal’ (Where We Stand in Global Literature) shed light on the hurdles faced by Malayalam literature in gaining international recognition. The conversation, led by moderator Rahul Radhakrishnan, explored why Malayalam literary masterpieces struggle to reach a wider audience, unlike globally celebrated works such as One Hundred Years of Solitude, which has been translated into over 40 languages. He pointed out that even classics like Khasakinte Ithihasam by O.V. Vijayan took years for the author himself to complete its English translation, highlighting the slow journey of Malayalam literature toward global readership.
One of the key concerns discussed was the lack of international visibility for Malayalam works. Author and translator E.V. Fathima attributed this issue to the complexity of cultural expressions embedded in Malayalam literature, which often makes translations challenging. She also pointed out that many publishers hesitate to invest in translating regional literature due to the uncertain global demand. The limited media attention and lack of promotional efforts further restrict the reach of translated Malayalam works.
Adding to this, writer E. Santhoshkumar emphasized that literature from legendary figures like Ezhuthachan is deeply rooted in cultural nuances, making translation difficult and less relatable for those unfamiliar with the historical and linguistic context. However, he argued that a book’s inclusion in global literature should not solely depend on its acceptance by an international audience. Instead, he suggested that the true value of literature lies in its ability to preserve and express cultural identity, regardless of global reach.
Another crucial issue highlighted during the discussion was the lack of quality editorial support in translations. N.E. Sudheer pointed out that many Malayalam works fail to gain global traction not because of their content, but due to inadequate marketing strategies and editorial refinement. He stressed the importance of bridging these gaps to enhance the presence of Malayalam literature in the international literary landscape.
Despite these challenges, the discussion concluded on an optimistic note. The panelists agreed that while Malayalam literature may not yet have widespread global recognition, its cultural depth and authenticity make it invaluable. Instead of solely aiming for international validation, there should be a stronger focus on refining translation efforts and creating better outreach strategies to introduce these literary gems to the world.
KLF Book of the Year Awards
The 8th edition of the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) celebrated outstanding literary works by conferring the prestigious Book of the Year awards in both fiction and nonfiction categories. Among the recognized works, The Day The Earth Bloomed by Manoj Kuroor, translated into English by J Devika, emerged as the winner in the fiction category.
Interestingly, the award for nonfiction was jointly shared by two remarkable books—Dalithan by KK Kochu, translated by Radhika P Menon, and The Identity Project by Rahul Bhatia. These books stood out among a vast pool of literary works, selected by an expert jury after thorough evaluation and discussion.
The grand event took place on the evening of January 25 at the Thoolika venue. The festival’s founder, Ravi Deecee, delivered the opening speech, setting the stage for a night dedicated to literature and intellectual discourse. The awards were presented by esteemed literary figures, including Jeet Thayil, Mridula Koshy, and Jerry Pinto for the nonfiction category, while Meena Kandasamy and Satish Padmanabhan had the honor of announcing the fiction category winners.
