I’ve been addicted to old British literature since the beginning of time.
Hum tv dramas and some of Dr. Iqbal’s poetic translations lead me to believe that Urdu literature is amazingly articulate, genuinely authentic, enthralling and absolutely captivating just as much as Brit lit.
I’m suddenly very enthusiastic about it, but I have never read any of it before and I cannot read urdu [will start my lessons in the near future]. Until then, are there any English translations for any of these Urdu novels? Even if it’s Urdu in English letters - I’ll manage.
Before that ‘Aag ka Darya’ one of the most read novel written by Quratul’ain Haider was translated into English
Deputy Nazeer Ahmed’s (one of the earliest novel writer in Urdu) novel ‘Mirat ul uroos’ which was dramatised by PTV in late 80s has also been translated in lovely English.
Re: NEED HELP! English Translations for Urdu Novels
ok Abdullah Hussain’s ‘Udaas Naslen’ which has been rated no. 1 novel by some literary society (God knows why) has also been translated into English as “The Weary Generations”.
Re: NEED HELP! English Translations for Urdu Novels
Why couldn't you finish it? Was it really that unenjoyable?
many people liked it, but I enjoyed novels which contain reference to cultural roots and folklore. This one is some what about social injustice and written in style which is common in communist writers. The other novel that I have bought and never finished is translation of Maxim Gorki's ' Mother'
Re: NEED HELP! English Translations for Urdu Novels
many people liked it, but I enjoyed novels which contain reference to cultural roots and folklore. This one is some what about social injustice and written in style which is common in communist writers. The other novel that I have bought and never finished is translation of Maxim Gorki's ' Mother'
Are they both difficult? Will they lose their underlying detail through the translation? I know some of the translators aren't too impressive with their word choice.
Re: NEED HELP! English Translations for Urdu Novels
I haven’t been through the translations, but as the translation is done by writers themselves (in case of udas Naslen and Peer e Kamil), the chances are less that they are lost in translation. One more urdu novel 9translated into English) that I saw with Ferozsons today is Umera Ahmed’s ‘La-hasil’
Re: NEED HELP! English Translations for Urdu Novels
Awesomeeee. Thanks a bunch. I'll get back on this thread once I finish reading these listed eight.
No problem.
If you are also interested in Urdu short stories, then they are translated more than Urdu novels. The major works being by Saadat Hussain Manto. Academy of Letters (an institution working under Government of Pakistan) has done lot of work to translate short stories and poetry of urdu and local languages into English and some of their quarterly magazines are available on their website.
that’s only a two week supply 