Understanding the thoughts of the author, the emotions decisive in the translation, says the former president of the Supreme Court
Former Chief Justice of India NV Ramana emphasized that understanding the author’s original thoughts, emotions and deeper meaning is essential when translating literary works from one language to another.
He observed that translation is not merely about replacing words with their equivalents in another language, but about conveying the poet’s heart, thoughts, and experiences to the readers. According to him, the characteristic of a good translator is the ability to present great literature in simple and accessible language without losing its literary essence.
He was speaking after unveiling the Telugu translation of Rabindranath Tagore’s internationally acclaimed literary masterpiece Gitanjali by P. Krishnaiah, chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board and a former IAS officer. The book was released at a program organized by Emesco Publishers in Vijayawada on Saturday evening.
Describing Gitanjali as a landmark work in world literature, Justice Ramana said translating such a literary masterpiece into another language was no ordinary task. He pointed out that every word in poetry has a different meaning and a deeper emotional meaning, and translations that fail to capture these nuances cannot do justice to the original work. “A translator must first understand the intellectual and emotional world of the poet and fully absorb the ideas expressed in the original text,” he said, appreciating Mr. Krishnaiah for successfully taking on the responsibility.
He also emphasized the importance of literary and cultural programs and said that such initiatives and publications will contribute significantly to the development and promotion of Telugu language.
Mr. Krishnaiah, through his Telugu translation of Gitanjali, has tried to bring Tagore’s rich literary and philosophical expressions to Telugu readers. Special attention was paid to the use of simple language while preserving the poetic beauty and literary values of the original work.
Former Andhra Pradesh minister and former MLA Mandali Buddhaprasad said that translations play a vital role in preserving and promoting Telugu language and literature. He appreciated the effort to make internationally recognized literary works accessible to readers in their mother tongue.
Former minister Dokka Manikya Varaprasad noted that literature is a powerful medium for imparting knowledge and encouraging critical thinking in society. He said such publications helped introduce the richness of literary heritage to future generations.
Emesco Publishing Chairman Vijay Kumar said the organization is committed to making quality literary works available to readers and will continue its efforts to bring world-renowned literature to the Telugu audience.
The program was attended by literary enthusiasts, educators and several prominent personalities.
Published – 31 Oct 2026 22:23 IST