Lucknow: Metaphor Lucknow Literature Festival hosted two captivating sessions celebrating literary translation and the city’s enduring cultural heritage.
The first session, “Pustak Lokarpan: Main Tumse Kuch Kehna Chahti Hoon,” marked the release of the Hindi translation of select short stories by Nobel Laureate Alice Munro. Translator Anand Yashpal discussed the challenges of preserving Munro’s nuanced portrayal of human relationships and emotional depth while adapting her work for Hindi readers. He highlighted how literary translation bridges cultures, offering insights into the delicate craft of conveying narrative rhythms, cultural contexts, and emotional textures across languages. The session drew writers, scholars, translators, and literature enthusiasts, emphasizing Munro’s universal appeal and the translator’s role as a cultural mediator.
In the second session, “250 Years of Timeless Lucknow,” eminent voices including Pankaj Bhadouria, Dr. P.C. Sarkar, Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma, and Abha Singh reflected on the city’s rich cultural legacy. The discussion explored Lucknow’s tehzeeb—its etiquette, inclusiveness, and artistic sophistication—and how the city has gracefully evolved over two and a half centuries. Panelists highlighted the elegance of chikankari, carved gateways, architectural marvels like Rumi Darwaza and Chhota Imambara, and culinary treasures such as Tunday kebabs, illustrating how history, craft, and daily life collectively shape Lucknow’s timeless identity.
Both sessions underscored the festival’s commitment to celebrating literary excellence and cultural heritage, reaffirming the enduring relevance of global stories and the elegance of Lucknow’s traditions for contemporary audiences.
