KARACHI: A spectrum of the world cultures, issues and tragedies came to the fore at a discussion on the importance of translation of literature as writers and scholars said translators played the role of bridges that allowed transfer of literary riches of one culture to another and from one continent to another.

“Translators are doing a great job in offering a variety of wonderful writings carrying amazing experiences, tones and vibes to the people who, otherwise, would never be able to know about those flavours and savour them with amusement,” said veteran journalist Ghazi Salahuddin while presiding over the launch of Aalami kahaniyan-4 (Short stories of the world) translated by journalist Zafar Qureshi.

The programme was jointly organised by the Karachi Press Club and Bazm-i-Yawar Mehdi.

The audience was told it was the fourth such book of translation by Mr Qureshi carrying 17 short stories by the authors of various countries. Seven of those stories were from the United States where Mr Qureshi lives.

Mr Salahuddin said translation required a person to have expertise in two languages — the one in which a piece of writing was originally written and the other in which it was transferred in a manner that it should have flow and fluency and all original ingredients to make sure a reader should not miss the real message and flavour; though, it was still natural that some part of a story, or a non-fiction writing, and normally most part of poetry, was lost in translation. He asked Mr Qureshi to translate Urdu’s epic literature into English.

Dr Tauseef Ahmed Khan said all short stories in the book were the stories of the wretched and the injured and depicted dichotomy within characters weaved into contrasting themes.

Scholar Anees Zaidi said in addition to seven short stories from the US, the remaining 10 were picked from countries such as Japan, India, Israel and Tanzania.

He appreciated the translator for his choice of stories saying each of them carried different taste and dimension. Every writer had gone for a different experiment, treatment of short story and weaving of the plot.

A short story writer in Urdu, Akhlaq Ahmed, said translation was a difficult art and it brought unforeseen hardship for those who were audacious enough to go for translating literature.

“These short stories are lucky that they were in the hands of an expert and artist who treated them with the touch of a specialist and a sculptor in his very nature when it comes to choosing stuff like that,” said Mr Ahmed.

He said a translator played a bridge where literatures of one part of the world passed to other places with totally different cultures and human experiences.

Political commentator Agha Masood appreciated Mr Qureshi for untiringly doing the job and making a good contribution to Urdu literature.

Anwar Ahmed Zai said cultures learned from one another through transfer of intellect and literature and such endeavours should be appreciated.

Zafar Qureshi thanked the audience and organisers.

Karachi Press Club president Imtiaz Faran also spoke. Nadeem Hashmi moderated the proceedings.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2020