Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha on Saturday launched english translation of Magahi novel ”Fool Bahadur” here.
Fool Bahadur, the first Magahi novel, translated into English by Indian poet-diplomat, editor and translator Abhay K , was launched by Lt Governor Sinha at the 4th edition of Grand Trunk Road Initiatives.
Press Secretary to the President of India Ajay Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of Governmen of Bihar S Siddharth, Editor Abhay K, Publisher of Penguin Random House India Milee Aishwarya and Director of Grand Trunk Initiative Aditi Nandan were present on the occasion.
First published in 1928 ‘Fool Bahadur’ by Jayanath Pati from Nawada district of Bihar, is the first Magahi novel to be translated into English. Published by Penguin Random House India, Fool Bahadur is a delightful novel set in colonial Bihar, a humorous reflection on the state’s erstwhile society and bureaucracy—told through the story of a young law officer, who hustles his way through the bureaucratic corridors to win the coveted British title of Rai Bahadur.
The first-ever translation of this forgotten Magahi novel into English by Abhay K is a tour de force that leaves readers chuckling at the characters dotting its intriguing plot.
Publisher of Penguin Random House Milee Aishwarya said ,” Fool Bahadur by Jayanath Pati, translated by Abhay K. is a timeless and engaging novel. The first novel in Magahi, it is a hidden gem and now in its new English edition will reach out to a larger audience. I congratulate Abhay K on giving Fool Bahadur a new life. “
Commenting on launch of the book, Abhay K. said—“ the publication of the English translation of ‘Fool Bahadur’ as a Penguin modern classic marks a significant high point in the history of Magahi language and literature, which has a very rich literary history. I hope that my translation of the first Magahi novel will pave the path for more translations from Magahi and other languages of Bihar such as Angika, Bajjika, Bhojpuri and Maithili.”
Abhay K. from Nalanda, Bihar, is a poet, editor, translator, and the author of several poetry collections. His poems have appeared in over 100 literary magazines including Poetry Salzburg Review and Asia Literary Review, among others.
