Jaipur: Calling translation a form of creative and ethical responsibility, journalist, writer and translator Poonam Saxena described it as “God’s work” during a thought-provoking session at the Jaipur Literature Festival Friday.Speaking at a session titled ‘Baaton Baaton Mein’, Saxena reflected on the power of language, the complexities of translation and the changing idiom of Hindi cinema.She posited that translation is far more than a literal transfer of words from one language to another. “Translation is God’s work, as it involves understanding cultural contexts, emotional undertones and social realities embedded within a text. Sometimes, the translation of words into another language cannot capture the original emotion or punch. Still, I feel it is necessary for the global exchange of literature,” she added during a conversation with Kumari Rohini.While acknowledging that translations often fall short of capturing the full depth and nuance of the original work, she emphasised that the “process remains vital for the exchange of literature and ideas across linguistic and geographical boundaries”.During the session, Saxena also traced the evolution of language in Hindi cinema, noting how film dialogues and narratives transformed with time. “Early Hindi films drew heavily from Urdu and literary Hindi, lending them a certain lyrical quality, while contemporary cinema reflects changing social sensibilities, urban influences and global exposure. This shift, she said, “significantly altered how stories are told and received by audiences today”.The freewheeling discussion touched upon the journey of literary works adapted into films, especially how Gulshan Nanda’s novels were woven into successful Hindi movies like Kati Patang and many others.Saxena also highlighted the challenges involved in translating written narratives into visual storytelling, where filmmakers must reinterpret characters, emotions and themes for the screen. She explained that adaptations often require creative compromises, as cinema operates under different constraints than literature.The session offered the audience a nuanced understanding of translation, cinema and storytelling, underlining how language continues to evolve while remaining central to human expression.
On language, literature and movies: A tribute to ‘God’s work’ | Jaipur News
