Manipal: “Marathi and Kannada languages have benefitted immensely because of literary and cultural exchanges over the years. Words like Akka, Anna and Appa are borrowed from Kannada to give Marathi a Kannada flavour. Many Kannada works have been translated into Marathi and vice versa. So, for me it’s a matter of pride that I too now belong to the elite club with my play “U Turn” being translated into Kannada,” said Mr Anand Mhasavekar, the author of the book in Marathi.

“U Turn has been translated into Gujarati and Hindi and has staged more than 50 shows and now I am present for its Kannada premiere,” he said. The book was translated into Kannada by Neeta Inamdar, Prof and Head of the Department of European Studies and Chief Editor of Manipal University Press (MUP). After the book was released, the play directed by Mr Pradeepchandra Kutpady was staged. And was well received by a packed Gangubai Hangal Hall audience.

“U Turn” was the 68th publication of Manipal University Press. Dr H Vinod Bhat, Vice Chancellor, Manipal University said that it was an incredible journey of MUP interacting with various readers, editors and authors through different genre of books. “The journey which began with a translation series from Sanskrit to English has now reached another phase with Indian languages to Kannada and in pipeline are couple of other publications that will be translated to other Indian languages too,” he said. He said that Manipal was not just home for medicine and engineering, but without doubt, it is home to literature and arts too.

Dr Neeta said that the translation work was both interesting and challenging. “Challenging because I had to make it interesting for Kannada readers and suitable to the region and culture. Therefore, for Rama, the main character in the play, who travels from Pune to Mumbai, I made it Mysuru to Bengaluru. And the savouries too got a conversion from Bhakarvadi to Nippattu”.

Dr Neeta acknowledged the support and encouragement she received from Mr T P Ashoka and Ms Vaidehi, notable Kannada writers and Ms Gayatri Prabhu. Ms Savita Sastri helped her to translate the Marathi play.